On January 15, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she “gave” US President Donald Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal during their meeting. Trump called it “a wonderful sign of mutual respect.” However, this act was criticized in Norway.
“The prize itself – honor and recognition – remains inextricably linked to the person or organization designated by the Norwegian Nobel Committee as a laureate,” the committee said in a statement on its website.
They noted that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate receives two key symbols: a gold medal and a diploma. In addition, he is given a separate monetary reward.
“Regardless of what may happen to the medal, diploma or prize money, it is the original winner who remains in history as its recipient. Even if the medal or diploma later changes hands, this does not change who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize,” the statement said.
As the Nobel Committee pointed out, the laureate “cannot share the prize with others or transfer it after the announcement.” The Nobel Prize also cannot be revoked, since the decision is final and “valid for all time.”
At the same time, the Nobel Committee does not consider it necessary to comment on the activities of the Peace Prize laureates or the political processes in which they participate.
“The committee does not comment on further statements, decisions or actions of laureates,” the release said. “There are no restrictions in the Nobel Foundation's statutes on what a laureate can do with a medal, diploma or monetary award. This means that a laureate can keep, donate, sell or transfer it.”
The committee added that some Nobel Prize medals are on display in museums around the world. Also, some of their winners decided to donate or sell their medals.
