All told, 50 names from 21 different countries have been nominated for the honor. Among the other candidates is Franco-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, who was recently freed following years in captivity by Colombian FARC guerrillas. Also in the running are the International Movement for the Fight Against the Death Penalty, the Gandhi Memorial Museum and International Court of Justice judge Thomas Buergenthal.
Other candidates include the International Rescue Committee and South African singer Miriam Makeba. Cesária Évora was nominated for her work towards eradicating poverty.