World · Africa · 1 day ago
Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize for work on peace and international law
Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a South African jurist of Tamil descent, has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee honoured her efforts to promote peace and international law.
She grew up under apartheid and became a lawyer who defended anti-apartheid activists and prisoners.
She later served as a judge at the Rwanda tribunal and as the UN high commissioner for human rights.
Pillay also chaired a UN inquiry that concluded Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, a finding Israel rejected.
The committee said the prize recognises her whole body of work, not a position on whether Israel’s actions amount to genocide.
The prize is due to be presented in Oslo on December 10.
Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said she had helped hold governments and national leaders accountable and brought hope to victims of violence and conflict.
Pillay, an 85-year-old South African jurist, has served as a judge in international courts and as the UN high commissioner for human rights.
She chaired a UN commission that concluded Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, findings Israel rejected.
The committee said the prize recognized Pillay’s whole body of work, not a position on whether Israel’s offensive in Gaza amounted to genocide.
- Who
- Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a South African jurist and former UN human rights chief.
- What
- She won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law.
- When
- Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Where
- The prize was announced by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo.
- Why
- The committee cited her work promoting international legal principles and holding governments and leaders accountable.
Navi Pillay’s UN commission
Israel
Gaza findings
Navi Pillay’s UN commission
The commission concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza and accused Israeli leaders of inciting genocide.
Israel
Israel rejected the commission’s findings and accused its members of serving as “Hamas proxies”.
Nobel award
Navi Pillay’s UN commission
The committee said the prize recognized Pillay’s whole body of work and was not a position on whether Israel’s offensive in Gaza amounted to genocide.
Israel
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the award legitimised anti-Israel hatred and prejudice.
I'm still reeling with surprise.
it must be a joke
At a time of existential challenges -- including more wars and conflicts than the world has seen in a long time -- international law is no longer just a supplement to peace and security. It is an absolute necessity.
Her role in the relentless, politically motivated demonisation of Israel and promotion of the genoLIE speaks volumes.
Pillay became the first woman to start a law practice in Natal Province.
Pillay became the first Black woman to serve on South Africa’s High Court and was elected a judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
Pillay served as the UN high commissioner for human rights.
Pillay chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that Pillay had won the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Prize
- 2026 Nobel Peace Prize
- Prize citation
- Efforts to promote peace and international law
- Age
- 85
- Birthplace
- Durban, South Africa
- UN human rights chief
- 2008–2014
- Gaza commission
- Chaired from 2021 to 2025
Sources
Kamal Haasan Celebrates Navi Pillay’s Nobel Peace Prize Win, Calls It a Proud Moment for Tamils
Navi Pillay | The jurist and a redemption
Kamal Haasan congratulates Navi Pillay on Nobel Peace Prize win, calls her journey extraordinary: ‘A moment of immense pride for Tamils everywhere’
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