Nobel Peace Prize goes to Navanethem Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law

Former UN human rights chief Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a judge on the International Court of Justice, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in Oslo, Norway. The South Africa-born Pillay, 85 years old, was recognised for her efforts to promote peace and international law, said Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Pillay that investigated the war in Gaza found last year that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians.

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2026 was awarded Friday to Navanethem Pillay "for her efforts to promote peace and international law." South African jurist, human rights lawyer, and former United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has won the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee made the announcement on Friday, 9 October 2026.

“The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the committee said. Pillay joins an illustrious group of luminaries who were previously awarded the prize, including late former president Nelson Mandela, FW de Klerk and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Legal principles The Committee said Pillay’s commitment to universal legal principles and her firm moral compass are constants in a long career.

Born into a family of Indian Tamil origin under apartheid in Durban, South Africa, Pillay became a lawyer and legal pioneer, confronting deep structural discrimination, segregation and exclusion. “A common thread runs from her early work defending Nelson Mandela and others who stood up against apartheid to her service as a judge in some of the key international court cases of our time,” the Nobel Committee said. The Committee said in historic international court cases Pillay has shown that legal measures can help prevent acts of war and violence.

“Navi Pillay has also contributed to strengthening the institutions of international law. Her independence, expertise and steadfastness have made her one of the most respected international jurists of our time.” BREAKING NEWSThe Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2026 #NobelPeacePrize to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law.#NobelPrize pic.twitter.com/97vurspw6z— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 9, 2026 Career Pillay has served as a judge on the High Court in South Africa, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court. She was the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and, until recently, she chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Today, Pillay is a judge on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case in which Myanmar stands accused of genocide. The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded 125 years ago. Then, the Norwegian Nobel Committee underscored the importance of resolving conflicts through international law, …