The Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN) has joined leading global civil rights and faith-based organisations in urging the Norwegian Nobel Committee to withdraw its 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan politician Maria Corina Machado.
The call comes amid growing concern over Ms Machado’s public support for far-right movements, anti-Muslim extremism, and military intervention in Venezuela.
A Call for Moral Integrity
In a joint letter sent to the Nobel Committee in Oslo, the signatories expressed deep concern over the decision. They stated that the Nobel Peace Prize should honour individuals who defend justice and peace for all, not those who promote war, racism, or fascism.
Reasons for Concern
The letter outlined several issues that contradict the Nobel Committee’s values.
Ms Machado reportedly:
- Spoke at the Patriots of Europe conference alongside far-right figures including Geert Wilders, Marie Le Pen, and Viktor Orbán.
- Formed a political alliance between her party, Vente Venezuela, and Israel’s Likud Party — whose leaders face war-crime allegations at the International Criminal Court.
- Declared that “the struggle of Venezuela is the struggle of Israel,” and supported moving Venezuela’s embassy to Jerusalem.
According to Reuters, participants at the conference called for a “new Reconquista,” invoking medieval wars against Muslims in Spain.
These public stances, the organisations said, undermine the credibility of the Nobel Committee and the moral authority of the Peace Prize itself.
What the Letter Calls For
The signatories urged the Nobel Committee to ask Ms Machado to:
- Renounce her alliance with Israel’s Likud Party.
- Apologise for joining a conference promoting fascism and anti-Muslim hate.
- Retract her calls for war as a means to achieve democracy in Venezuela.
If she refuses, they say the Committee should rescind the award and instead recognise someone who truly upholds peace — such as activists, journalists, and medical professionals who risk their lives defending human rights worldwide.
United Global Voices
The letter was co-signed by major Muslim and human rights organisations from across the Western world, including:
- Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN)
- Canadians United Against Hate
- Collective Against Islamophobia in Europe (CCIE)
- Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
- Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO)
- Islamophobia Studies Center
- Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)
- The March 15th Forum – Combating Islamophobia
- US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO)
Together, they represent millions of people who believe that peace prizes should celebrate courage, not hypocrisy.
Plea for Accountability
AMAN stands with its international partners in urging the Nobel Committee to uphold the integrity of one of the world’s most respected awards.
By ensuring that the Nobel Peace Prize reflects the true meaning of peace, justice, and equality, the Committee can restore faith in its mission.