South African jurist Navanethem Navi Pillay, who comes from an Indian Tamil family, has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award on October 9, recognising her decades of work to strengthen international justice and promote accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Born in Durban in 1941, Pillay built a distinguished legal career challenging racial discrimination and defending human rights under apartheid. She established her own law firm in 1967 and represented anti-apartheid activists.
In 1995, Pillay became the first non-white woman appointed to South Africa’s High Court.
Pillay later served as a judge and president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, where her judicial work helped establish that rape and sexual violence could constitute acts of genocide. She subsequently served as a judge at the International Criminal Court and as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014.
From 2021 to 2025, Pillay chaired the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. She has served as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice in proceedings concerning allegations of genocide against Myanmar.
The Nobel Committee recognised Pillay’s commitment to universal legal principles, personal integrity and judicial courage. Her award highlights the role of international law and accountability in protecting human rights during periods of conflict.
The recognition honours Pillay’s longstanding efforts to uphold justice, strengthen international legal institutions and protect human dignity.
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