Navi Pillay, former UN human rights chief, wins Nobel Peace Prize
Former UN human rights chief and ICJ judge Navi Pillay, 85, has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, becoming South Africa's fifth laureate.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay, 85, wins the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
- She becomes South Africa's fifth peace laureate, following Nelson Mandela.
- Pillay has investigated human rights violations in Rwanda, Myanmar, and Gaza.
- UN chief António Guterres praised her as a steadfast and independent voice of justice.
Former UN human rights chief and International Court of Justice judge Navi Pillay has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. Throughout a decades-long career, the 85-year-old has engaged in high-profile investigations regarding human rights violations across various conflict zones, including Rwanda, Myanmar, and Gaza.
On Friday, she became South Africa's fifth Peace Prize winner, following in the footsteps of iconic figures such as Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Her groundbreaking legal career also includes becoming the first woman to establish a law practice in Natal Province in 1967 and later serving as the first non-white woman appointed to the country's high court.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Pillay previously served as a judge on the UN-backed International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, focusing on the 1994 genocide where 800,000 people were killed, including four years as its president. She was later elected to the International Criminal Court in 2003 and chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory from 2021 to 2025.
This Nobel Peace Prize highlights the critical role of international law during an era of unprecedented global conflicts. Honoring a jurist who has dedicated her life to investigating war crimes and human rights abuses underscores the international community's reliance on legal frameworks to uphold justice.
While her work on the Palestinian territories commission drew sharp criticism and rejection from Israel, her broader legal contributions received widespread global acclaim. UN Secretary General António Guterres praised her as a steadfast and independent voice of justice amidst historic international legal cases.
Amnesty International secretary general Agnès Callamard, who was with Pillay when she learned of her victory, described her as an inspired choice for the award, noting that the recognition comes at a crucial time when international law and justice face mounting attacks.
Source: BBC World
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