World · Africa · 2 days ago
Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize for work promoting international law
Navi Pillay, an 85-year-old South African jurist and former UN human rights chief, has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
She heard the news while attending a legal forum in Nuremberg, Germany, where Nazi war crimes trials took place after World War II.
Pillay joked to the applauding audience that she might share the prize with US President Donald Trump if they clapped a little more.
The Nobel committee said it chose her for promoting international law and helping ensure that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted.
Pillay has held senior roles in international justice and led a UN commission that found Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
Israel and Trump have rejected the commission’s findings, and Israel’s prime minister’s office condemned Pillay’s award.
The committee said the prize also highlights the importance of international law at a time when it faces pressure.
Navi Pillay won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her work promoting international law.
The 85-year-old South African-born jurist learned of the award while attending a forum in Nuremberg, Germany.
After supporters applauded, Pillay joked that she might share the prize with Donald Trump if they clapped more.
The Nobel committee said her work helped ensure that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted.
Israeli officials condemned the award, while Israel and Trump have rejected findings by a UN commission Pillay led that Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
- Who
- Navi Pillay, a South African-born jurist and former UN human rights chief.
- What
- She won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize and joked about sharing it with Donald Trump.
- When
- 9 October 2026. The sources say she received the news that day.
- Where
- Nuremberg, Germany, while she was attending a forum.
- Why
- The Nobel committee cited her work promoting international law and prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Nobel committee and Pillay
Israeli officials
Award rationale
Nobel committee and Pillay
The committee said Pillay’s work promotes international law and accountability for serious crimes.
Israeli officials
Israeli officials said the award honoured someone they accused of spreading false claims and anti-Israel hatred.
Gaza commission findings
Nobel committee and Pillay
A UN commission led by Pillay concluded that Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
Israeli officials
Israel has rejected the findings and denied the charges.
If you clap a little bit more, I may share this prize with Trump.
Peace requires justice.
The Nobel Prize committee has lost its moral compass.
is a source of hope and inspiration to all those who seek to bring about a more peaceful world
The UN-backed Human Rights Council created the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, which Pillay later chaired.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize and later gave Trump her prize; the committee said the prize itself could not be transferred.
The commission she led concluded that Israel was responsible for genocide in Gaza, according to the Daily Mail.
Pillay was announced as the Nobel Peace Prize winner while attending a forum in Nuremberg and joked about sharing the prize with Trump.
- Award year
- 2026
- Laureate
- Navanethem “Navi” Pillay
- Age
- 85
- Award announcement location
- Nuremberg, Germany
- Award cited by committee
- Promoting international law
- Nobel Peace Prize anniversary
- 125th
Sources
Nobel Peace Prize Winner Navi Pillay Swipes Trump After Learning She Won
Nobelpreis für Pillay: Eine Backpfeife für Trump - und ein Scherz auf seine Kosten
Nobel peace prize winner Navi Pillay jokes about sharing award with Donald Trump – video
Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay taunts Trump as she tells cheering audience she might share her award with him if they clap 'a little more'
Navi Pillay reageert verbaasd als ze in rechtbank hoort dat ze Nobelprijs krijgt: ‘Misschien deel ik deze met Trump’
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