IS rape victim, Pope Francis among Nobel Peace Prize candidates

An Islamic State rape victim, Pope Francis and the Afghan women’s cycling team are among the known candidates for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize.

An Islamic State rape victim, Pope Francis and the Afghan women’s cycling team are among the known candidates for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize as the nomination window was set to close on Monday.

Iraqi Yazidi Nadia Murad Basee Taha speaks in Athens. An Islamic State rape victim, Pope Francis and the Afghan women's cycling team are among the known candidates for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize. (AP File Photo)

The five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee typically receives more than 200 nominations for the prestigious prize, and keeps candidates secret for 50 years. Panel members can make their own nominations during a judging meeting Febuary 29.

A Norwegian lawmaker nominated Nadia Murad, a Yazidi who escaped sexual slavery and has become a spokesperson for those abused by Islamic State militants, while Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu is backing Pope Francis for his contributions to sustainable development.

The Afghani women’s cycling team has been nominated by 118 Italian lawmakers to promote “the most democratic means of transportation for all mankind”.