OSLO: South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award on Friday, October 9.
The committee praised Pillay for helping strengthen international law and hold states and national leaders accountable. It also highlighted her work supporting victims of violence and conflict.
Navi Pillay’s Career in International Law
Pillay, a South African lawyer of Indian Tamil origin, has held several senior positions in the legal and human rights fields. She served as a judge on South Africa’s High Court and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
She also served as a judge at the International Criminal Court and later became the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In addition, she chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Nobel Committee said Pillay’s career reflected a sustained commitment to universal legal principles. Her early work included defending Nelson Mandela and others who opposed apartheid in South Africa.
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UN Human Rights Office Welcomes Award
The United Nations human rights office welcomed Pillay’s selection for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Office spokesperson Shabia Mantoo told reporters in Geneva that Pillay had been a committed defender and advocate of human rights. She also stressed the need for greater dedication and commitment to protecting human rights around the world.
Pillay’s work has focused on accountability under international law, including efforts to ensure the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The Nobel Committee said legal mechanisms can help prevent violence and strengthen peaceful ways of resolving conflicts.
Fifth Nobel Prize Announced This Week
The Peace Prize is the fifth Nobel award announced this week. The earlier announcements covered literature, chemistry, physics and physiology or medicine.
Last year, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Pillay will receive her award at a ceremony in Oslo on December 10, along with a medal, diploma and prize money of 12 million Swedish kronor.
