Such brilliant news that a Nobel Peace Prize nomination has gone to @GA4TJ and @ICIJorg. It's a fantastic affirmation of the #taxjustice movement's contribution.

Even better, a fjord-dwelling little bird has shared the text of the (secret) nomination. (1/n...)

The nomination, by Norwegian MPs from all sides, honours the Global Alliance for Tax Justice, and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, for their "success in building global alliances to strengthen peace, stability and democracy... " 2/n

"...by exposing dangerous opacity in the global system of finance and the prevalence of illicit financial flows, which has devastating consequences for people in every region of the world... " 3/n

"...as well as for their work to usher in greater transparency and democratic oversight in the national and global financial systems." 4/n

The full nomination makes a broad argument about the overall contribution. It begins by stressing the damage that financial secrecy does to peace and democracy... 5/n

...and the urgency that the pandemic has created, to fix the grave, global problems (see also: forthcoming @FACTIpanel report). 6/n

The GATJ/ICIJ nomination goes on to highlight their critical roles in driving *global* responses. 7/n

Next, the nomination focuses on @ICIJorg's superb work in uncovering the tax abusive and other corrupt practices by which financial secrecy undermines states and the possibility of political representation. 8/n

Then the nomination focuses on @GA4TJ's critical, complementary role in ensuring accountability 9/n

The nomination highlights important contributions, from the ICIJ's #FinCen leaks to GATJ's role in opening up beneficial ownership secrecy in the United States. 10/n

The ICIJ and GATJ are, rightly, praised for their 'trailblazing' role in exposing illicit flows, and building pressure for accountability and fair taxation. 11/n

The MPs finish with a powerful plea, to 'acknowledge the threat to peace, security & democracy emanating from financial secrecy & the public finance drain - and to acknowledge the formidable change these two organizations are forging against strong and violent interests' 12/n

Since @TaxJusticeNet was formally established in 2003, and the worldwide movement began to grow, extraordinary changes have followed. The GATJ spun out in 2013, as the umbrella organisation for mass mobilisation organisations. Many ICIJ journalists came through our training. 13/n

The progress has been extraordinary, in a whole range of policy areas - many of which are summarised in this scrollable visual report https://www.taxjustice.net/take-back-control/ - as the global movement grew, and put a series of radical ideas on mainstream agendas 14/n

We salute the @ICIJorg and @GA4TJ for their fully merited nomination, and the MPs - Kari Elisabeth Kaski, Marianne Marthinsen, and Tore Storehaug - who have put it forward to the Nobel Peace Prize committee. We ask the committee to recognise its great value 15/n

This is fantastic recognition for the #taxjustice movement. The brave journalism of the ICIJ has exposed the international failure to combat tax abuse, while GATJ has coordinated a powerful, worldwide movement to hold politicians’ feet to the fire and demand progress. 16/n

Later this month, UN @FACTIpanel will deliver their final report with critical recommendations for the global tax and financial architecture. Most of these were politically unthinkable until the tax justice movement put them on the table. 17/n

The pandemic has exposed glaring inequalities, and the shortfall in revenues to fund both public health systems and economic protection. UN member states should ensure the panel’s recommendations – the fruits of the organisations nominated - are delivered with all urgency. 18/n

Finally, the full @TaxJusticeNet press release is here:
https://www.taxjustice.net/press/nobel-peace-prize-nomination-for-global-tax-justice-movement-announced/
19/19