Navi Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for work on international law and justice

Navi Pillay, a senior South African legal expert of Indian origin, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award on Friday, October 9, citing her work to advance peace and international law.

The committee specially praised Pillay's contribution to bringing those guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide within the reach of the law. According to the committee, she played an important role, with remarkable courage and integrity, in making the world's legal system broader and stronger. She strengthened the idea of holding countries and national leaders accountable for their actions. She was also instrumental in giving victims of violence and conflict hope of justice.

Pillay was born in Durban, South Africa, into a family of Indian Tamil origin, during the apartheid era. Amid social discrimination, division on the basis of race and exclusion, she studied law and made a distinct name for herself as a lawyer. Her own struggle for justice began with defending Nelson Mandela and other activists who fought apartheid.

She later became a judge of the High Court of South Africa. At the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, she served as both judge and president. She was subsequently a judge at the International Criminal Court as well. From 2008 to 2014, she was the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

In the landmark Rwanda trials, Pillay played an important role in establishing that sexual violence and rape can constitute both a crime against humanity and an act of genocide. She has also contributed to legal proceedings concerning propaganda that incites genocide.

From 2021 to 2025, she chaired the UN's independent international commission of inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. She is also serving as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice in the case alleging genocide in Myanmar.

The Nobel Committee praised her contribution to making international law institutions more capable, strengthening the legal system to act against those responsible for war crimes, and protecting human dignity. The committee said her commitment to justice and human rights is an inspiration to all who want to build a peaceful world.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has been seeking the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in stopping some of the world's deadliest wars between several countries. He had hoped his dream would be fulfilled this year, but with Pillay's name announced, his wish went unfulfilled this year as well.