REAL Nobel Peace Prize

➡️ Lay Down Your Arms Peace Prize - Fredrik S. Heffermehl & The Real Nobel Peace Prize

The "Real Nobel Peace Prize" was founded by the late Fredrik S. Heffermehl, a Norwegian lawyer and author, who long championed a critical examination of the Nobel Peace Prize and its alignment with Alfred Nobel's original will: "... the person who has done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations and for the abolition or reduction of standing armies as well as for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

Heffermehl also established the Swedish peace organisation, Lay Down Your Arms, which fights against war and armaments, and annually honours a 'champion for peace'. The 2025 recipient is UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese.

Explore our comprehensive guides on -

• Must-read ➡️ Critical Analysis of the Nobel Peace Prize

• Fredrik S. Heffermehl

• Jan Oberg (Advisory Board Member)

• Francesca Albanese

• David Swanson

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What Nobel Really Wanted

Summarised in his book, "The Nobel Peace Prize: What Nobel Really Wanted", Heffermehl argued that the prize has frequently deviated from Nobel's original criteria to reward those dedicated to disarmament, demilitarisation, peace negotiations, mediation, peace journalism, and conflict resolution.

As of 2021, only 33 recipients qualify under Nobel's founding principles in its 120 years. Heffermehl set out to raise awareness of this so-called Nobel Peace Prize fraud.

Below, we list some of the most controversial Nobel Peace Prize laureates:

• Henry Kissinger (1973) - The former U.S. Secretary of State was awarded the prize for his negotiations in ending the Vietnam War. Kissinger was also accused of several war crimes during the Cold War, including bombings in Cambodia.

• Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin, and Shimon Peres (1994) - The Palestinian leader, Israeli Prime Minister, and Israeli Foreign Minister were all awarded the prize for their work on the Oslo Peace Accords. Arafat received enormous criticism for acts of terrorism carried out by Fatah while he was in leadership.

• Barack Obama (2009) - Obama received the award during his first year of presidency, which many critics deemed way too early. Obama's administration was responsible for U.S. involvement in wars in Libya, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Yemen.

• Abiy Ahmed (2019) - Ethiopia's Prime Minister won the prize for ending the 20-year conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia with the creation of a peace agreement. This agreement, however, was broken just a year later in 2020, as conflict erupted again in Northern Ethiopia. Forces acting under Ahmed have been accused of human rights violations and war crimes.

The award's prestige has been lost the further it has drifted from its support for peace. Other criticisms include political influence, increasing Eurocentricity, and sexism. By the year 2021, of all the 975 Nobel Prizes awarded, only 59 were awarded to women.

Fredrik S. Heffermehl

Heffermehl was a relentless advocate for peace and disarmament. In his career, he held respected positions as vice president of the International Peace Bureau (IPB) and of the International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms. He also led the Norwegian Peace Council from 1985 to 2000, and authored multiple globally celebrated books on peace.

His advocacy for a return to Nobel's original criteria has sparked international debate. His work questioned whether political and commercial interests have skewed the selection process. By bringing greater transparency to the criteria and selection process, Heffermehl sought to ensure that the Nobel Peace Prize upholds both its founder's legacy and continues to serve as a meaningful catalyst for global peace.

The Lay Down Your Arms Peace Prize

The "Real Nobel Peace Prize" was established in 2024 in order to honour those who align with the original will of Alfred Nobel and celebrate their achievements.

The first-ever recipient in 2024 was David Swanson. He is an American author, activist, and journalist, prominently known for his work in the anti-war movement with ➡️ World Beyond War. He is the co-founder, executive director, and board member of this global organisation dedicated to ending war and establishing just and sustainable peace.

The 2025 award goes to ➡️ Francesca Albanese, who "has forcefully and unwaveringly worked against Israel's full-scale war on the occupied Palestinian territories, in particular Israel's ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people." She has pushed for nations to implement an embargo on arms sales to Israel, an end to all trade agreements, accountability for war crimes, and complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories.

Throughout the now two-year war, which has resulted in the death of more than 67,000 Palestinians by bombs alone. More than 169,000 people have been injured, many with life-altering wounds. Albanese has been one of the most outspoken advocates for Palestinian rights.

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The Nobel Peace Prize has become a political prize and is too often awarded to champions of "democracy", the environment or human rights. In 2025 the Nobel Peace Prize was (falsely) awarded to ➡️ María Corina Machado. We need to get back to Alfred Nobel's will to celebrate true champions for peace!

The Norwegian Nobel Committee is responsible for the Nobel Peace Prize. Its members are selected by the Norwegian Parliament. They usually are former politicians of the major parties or closely associated with them. Norway is a founding member of NATO and closely associated with the EU.

If the Nobel Prize is losing its credibility, it also loses the impact it can have on world peace. We must ensure that, first and foremost, this remains the primary goal. The Real Nobel Peace Prize and Lay Down Your Arms work tirelessly to wage peace and not war.

In the words of Fredrik Heffermehl, "Peace is not just a dream, but a possibility within our grasp."

Author: Rachael Mellor and Dr. Norbert Stute, 29.11.24 (Updated 09.10.25) licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0

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