Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize for work promoting international law and human rights

The peace prize is the ​fifth Nobel awarded this week, ​after literature, chemistry, physics and medicine. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won in 2025.

South African judge Navi Pillay won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her work promoting peace and international law, from opposing apartheid to serving on international courts.

The United Nations human rights office on Friday welcomed the news of Navi Pillay's Nobel Peace Prize win, acknowledging her longstanding advocacy for human rights.

The International Criminal Court said the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to its former judge Navanethem "Navi" Pillay on Friday was important recognition for the role of international justice as a cornerstone of peace.

Navi Pillay was chair of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory that concluded last year that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.

The South African-born jurist and former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay, who is currently an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

Former UN rights chief Navanethem “Navi” Pillay — awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday — is a global rights defender who has also served on the International Criminal Court and was South Africa’s first non-white woman high court judge. The 85-year-old built a formidable reputation during a decades-long career that took her from South African courts to the ICC and the International Tribunal for Rwanda. She gained global prominence for her outspoken condemnation of government repression of popular protests in the Arab world, including Libya and Syria. Between 2021 and 2025, she chaired a commission of enquiry created by the UN Human Rights Council to probe the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The panel, which does not speak for the UN and has faced harsh Israeli criticism, found that “genocide is occurring in Gaza and is continuing to occur”, Pillay told AFP in 2025. “The responsibility lies with the state of Israel,” she said. Pillay is currently an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice, working on a case deciding whether Myanmar’s crackdown on the Rohingya breached the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, with a ruling expected in the coming months. Groundbreaking Born the daughter of a bus driver in South Africa’s east coast city of Durban in 1941 to a family of Tamil descent, Pillay has had a groundbreaking career. She grew up in a poor neighbourhood in the southeastern coastal city during white minority rule, and studied law at the University of Natal before attaining a Master’s and Doctorate from Harvard. She became the first non-white woman to open a law firm in Durban where she carved out a reputation as a doughty defender of apartheid opponents. An illustration depicting 2026 Peace Prize laureate Navanethem “Navi” Pillay is pictured after, after the announcement of the 2026 peace prize winner, in Oslo, Norway on October 9, 2026. In 1973, she won the right for political prisoners in the notorious Robben Island penal colony — where jailed anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela was held at the time — to have access to lawyers. A year after Mandela became president in South Africa’s first democratic vote in 1994, she made legal history by becoming the first woman of colour to be appointed to the country’s high court. Soon after, the late liberation hero recommended her to serve on a United Nations tribunal trying Rwandan genocide suspects. In 1998, she was among judges on the Rwanda tribunal that was the first to try rape as an act of genocide. Ten years later, Pillay was appointed UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, a role she held until 2014. Voice of victims Her upbringing in an unjust apartheid society spurred her to fight discrimination everywhere and earned her the reputation of being the voice of victims around the world. “We put up with the worst insults and racial discrimination and abused and treated like dirt,” Pillay told AFP in an interview in 2023. That could have made you “weak and cry” or “fight every step of the way”, she said. “So I always had a sense of confidence about who I am and how you confront any kind of discrimination. Open your mouth and speak up, condemning it. And that’s what I did in the UN.” The rights defender married in 1965 lawyer Gaby Pillay, who was also a political prisoner she represented while he was tortured in detention during apartheid rule. The couple divorced and Gaby died in the late 1990s. They had two daughters.

GENEVA, Oct 9 (Reuters) - The UN human rights chief said on Friday that NaviPillay's Nobel Prize was a collective win for human rights and for all those seeking justice and accountability, including through the International Criminal Court.Volker Turk,who worked closely with Navi Pillay during her tenure as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014,described her as "the embodiment of international law".

Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize for championing global justice

Navanethem Pillay was born in Durban during apartheid into a family of Indian Tamil origin. She became a pioneering lawyer and jurist, serving on South Africa's high court before joining the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. She later served at the International Criminal Court and as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The South African-born jurist and former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay, who is currently an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her efforts to promote peace and international law. Her win is sure to be seen as a high-profile rebuke to US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who have both rejected the findings of a UN commission she led that Israel committed genocide in Gaza. Both leaders also have been highly critical of the institutions where Pillay has worked. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Philip Turle tells us more.

OSLO, Norway — The South African-born jurist and former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay, who is currently an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her efforts to promote peace and international law. Pillay’s work “is a source of hope and inspiration to all those who seek to bring about a more peaceful world,” said Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, in announcing her win in Oslo, Norway. Her win is sure to be seen as a high-profile rebuke to US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister […]...Keep on reading: Ex-UN human rights chief, ICC judge Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to South Africa's Navanethem "Navi" Pillay, the judge who headed the Rwanda genocide tribunal and last year presided over a UN commission that accused Israel of genocide in Gaza.

She reacted to the news by making a quip about US President Donald Trump's well-documented desire to win the prize himself.

South African jurist Navi Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her lifelong work defending international law and advancing accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

International judge Navi Pillay was applauded by colleagues as she gave her first public reaction to her Peace Prize.

Navi Pillay, eminent South African jurist, awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize Submitted by Sondos Asem on Fri, 10/09/2026 - 10:28 Pillay was the chair of the UN committee that concluded last year that Israel was responsible for genocide in Gaza, and is currently an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice Former United Nations rights chief Navi Pillay pictured in Johannesburg in 2023 (Wikus de Wet/AFP) Off Navi Pillay, the eminent South African jurist who co-authored the United Nations report accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday. The committee said Pillay had been chosen "for her efforts to promote peace and international law". "The Nobel Peace Prize for 2026 goes to a person who with exceptional courage and integrity has led the way towards a more comprehensive global legal order. This year’s laureate has been instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted," the committee said. Pillay, 85, is one of the most influential figures in international criminal justice and human rights law, and is South Africa’s most prominent international judge.  She previously served as the chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which concluded in an authoritative report last year that Israel is responsible for genocide in Gaza.  A former UN high commissioner for human rights from 2008 to 2014, she was nominated by Nelson Mandela, then the president of South Africa, in 1995 to serve on the UN's International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), where she served as a judge and president (1999-2003). Pillay's work at the ICTR produced the first genocide convictions in history.  She was also one of the founding judges of the International Criminal Court, and currently serves as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is due to determine whether the Myanmar committed genocide against the Rohingya. As the president of the ICTR, Pillay helped establish that rape and sexual violence can constitute genocide, setting a historic precedent in the jurisprudence on genocide. In a wide-ranging interview with Middle East Eye's Expert Witness podcast last year, Pillay said that as a UN expert investigating genocide in Gaza she found "a lot of similarities" with her previous work on sexual violence as a form of genocide.  Exclusive: Navi Pillay on Israel's Gaza genocide and global complicity Read More » "The commission finds a lot of similarities in the Akayesu case and what is currently unfolding in Gaza," she told MEE, referring to the landmark ICTR case that delivered the first conviction where rape was recognised as an act of genocide. "We found that the widespread and gender-based violence was instrumentalised, not only as punishment against the individuals, but as part of a pattern of collective punishment to fracture, humiliate, and subjugate the Palestinian population in its entirety," she said. "I was recognised for having delivered that first judgment and for writing that portion of it. That jurisprudence is directly applicable to the Gaza situation." The Nobel prize committee recognised Pillay's work at the UN commission, as well as her contribution to setting precedents at international court cases. "History has shown that a world operating without the rule of law is unjust, unwise and inhumane. The judges - those who guard the thin red line between order and chaos - are therefore highly deserving of our praise," said the committee. "But today, as these same judges are sanctioned, and their institutions are attacked, we need people of courage, vision and determination - qualities that Navi Pillay demonstrates in her work on the bench." International law News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, 85, said she initially thought the news was a joke when she learned she had won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The former judge said she wanted to verify the announcement before believing it.

Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, 85, said she initially thought the news was a joke when she learned she had won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The former judge said she wanted to verify the announcement before believing it.

Navi Pillay, a former ICC judge who oversaw a UN report that concluded that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law”. This year’s Nobel Peace Prize underlined the importance of maintaining an organised international order, the committee said in its citation. […]

Clairwood is celebrating one of its proudest moments after Navi Pillay, the legal trailblazer who grew up in the Durban suburb, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.

Navi Pillay, a veteran human rights lawyer and judge, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of a career spanning several decades.

Navi Pillay began her career in apartheid-era Durban. Now the South African judge has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

Navi Pillay Wins Nobel Peace Prize Jurist Honoured For Global Law And Justice

Navi Pillay is a former International Criminal Court judge who oversaw a UN report that concluded that Israel committed genocide in Gaza

A U.N. commission led by Ms. Pillay that investigated the war in Gaza found last year that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians.

South African jurist Navi Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote international law and prosecute war crimes and genocide. Read More: https://punchng.com/south-african-judge-navi-pillay-wins-2026-nobel-peace-prize/

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay of South Africa “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday. Pillay, whose background is Indian Tamil, grew up in the eastern coastal city of Durban, where she set up her own law firm […] The post South African jurist Navanethem Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.

Judge Navi Pillay has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize - dealing another blow to Donald Trump, who once again insisted he deserved the prestigious award

Moments after she was announced as the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Navi Pillay joked that she will share the prize with US leader, Donald Trump if people kept clapping for her.

Navi Pillay, a former ICC judge who oversaw a UN report that concluded that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday "for her efforts to promote peace and international law". This year's Nobel Peace Prize underlined the importance of maintaining an organised international order, the committee said in its citation.

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South African jurist Navi Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her lifelong work defending international law and advancing accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

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. Watch our replay.

South African jurist Navi Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her lifelong work defending international law and advancing accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Indian-Origin South African human rights lawyer Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay, who was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on October 9, 2026, has spent decades advocating for justice, equality and international law. Born on September 23, 1941, to Indian parents of Tamil descent, Pillay grew up under apartheid, facing racial discrimination and financial hardships. Her educational journey, from the University of Natal to Harvard Law School, laid the foundation for her distinguished career in human rights advocacy.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 Navi Pillay’s Early Education And University Of NatalPillay grew up in a family of eight children, where education was considered a priority despite financial constraints. Her father worked as a bus driver and took up multiple jobs to support the family, while her mother looked after the children.At a time when apartheid restricted opportunities for people of colour, Pillay’s parents believed in educating all their children, irrespective of gender. Their emphasis on education helped her pursue higher studies despite the social and economic barriers surrounding her.In the early 1960s, Pillay enrolled at the University of Natal in South Africa, where she earned both her bachelor’s degree and a law degree. During her university years, she also participated in protests and boycotts against apartheid, reflecting her growing commitment to challenging racial injustice.Amazing moment. Navi Pillay has received the Nobel Peace Prize ! https://t.co/HL3r1PJzLOWe are at the Nuremberg Court; I cannot think of a stronger symbol for her Nobel prize. We are all so thrilled! This is her first reactions upon hearing the news: pic.twitter.com/Crbj6XdiyQ— Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) October 9, 2026 From Practising Law To Harvard Law SchoolAfter completing her education, Pillay began practising law and gradually established herself as an advocate for people facing discrimination and state oppression.In 1967, she became the first woman of colour to establish a law practice in Natal Province. Her personal experiences of apartheid influenced her work, particularly her efforts to defend anti-apartheid activists and expose allegations of torture in detention.Pillay later pursued advanced legal studies in the United States to deepen her expertise in human rights and international law. In 1982, she earned a Master of Laws degree from Harvard University, specialising in areas that would become central to her professional work.She continued her academic journey and, in 1988, earned a Doctor of Juridical Science degree from Harvard Law School. The achievement made her the first South African to receive a doctorate in law from the institution.Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. pic.twitter.com/4IQPOAX1Zq— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 9, 2026 Navanethem “Navi” Pillay's three main contributions:1: Established important legal precedents on sexual violence and genocide 2: Advanced global human rights protection 3. Promoted women's rights and justice for victims Her important research: EQUAL JUSTICE FOR WOMEN: A… pic.twitter.com/SDFlRyApiM— Zoe Wang (@zoewangai) October 9, 2026 Education That Shaped Her Human Rights CareerPillay’s academic achievements strengthened her understanding of international law and equipped her to challenge human rights violations on a global platform. Her qualifications from South African and American institutions complemented decades of legal advocacy and international service.In May 2015, she also received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Tufts University, recognising her contributions to law and human rights.

The year 2026 marks the 125th anniversary of the peace prize.

OSLO, Norway — Former U.N. 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 recognized for her efforts to promote peace and international law, said Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Pillay’s work “is a source of hope and inspiration to all those who seek to bring about a more peaceful world,” Watne Frydnes said announcing her win. Watne Frydnes said the committee had not yet been able to reach Pillay to inform her she had received the peace prize, which is often considered the most prestigious honor on the planet. “At a time when the number of wars and conflicts is rising, and when judges and institutions of international law are under political attack, the Nobel Committee wishes to issue a reminder that the ability to resolve conflicts without force or violence is dependent on the international rule of law,” the committee wrote in a news release. “An international legal system in which war criminals

Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said. Pillay held states and national leaders accountable and brought hope to victims of violence and conflict, and demonstrated a firm moral compass in her long career, the committee said. “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 committee said. “This year’s laureate has been instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide are prosecuted,” said Jorgen Watne Frydnes, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo. The Nobel jury said it was honouring her at a time when “the system of international law is under tremendous pressure and its institutions are under attack”. “At a time of existential challenges — including more wars and conflicts than the world has seen in a long time — international law is no longer just a supplement to peace and security. It is an absolute necessity,” Watne said. “Navi Pillay’s commitment to universal legal principles and her firm moral compass are constants in a long career,” the committee said. Pillay was chair of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory that concluded last year that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. Israel dismissed the report as “scandalous”. The prize — the ultimate diplomatic and humanitarian accolade — is sure to irk US President Donald Trump, whose administration has repeatedly attacked international justice institutions. Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has made no secret of his desire to win the prize. “If you clap a little bit more I may share this prize with Trump,” Pillay said to a standing ovation captured by Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard in Nuremberg and posted on the social network X. The peace prize is the fifth Nobel awarded this week, after literature, chemistry, physics and medicine. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won in 2025. The Nobel Peace Prize, worth 12 million Swedish crowns, or about $1.2m, is due to be presented in Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of the death of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, who founded the awards in his 1895 will. Pakistan nominates Trump Shortly before the announcement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to X and said Pakistan had nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his role in “advancing peace in South Asia”. Referring to last year’s brief military conflict with New Delhi, the prime minister said Trump’s “timely intervention helped bring Pakistan and India back from the brink and secure a ceasefire that is holding till today”. “In recognition of his outstanding contribution, Pakistan had nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize,” he added. “We sincerely hope the president’s efforts to promote peace and prevent conflict in our region receive due recognition this time,” he said. Last year, the government had decided to formally recommend Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his “decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership” to end the India-Pakistan escalation in May. In May 2025, a four-day conflict between Pakistan and India was sparked by an attack on tourists in occupied Kashmir, which New Delhi, without evidence, linked with Pakistan. Islamabad strongly denied responsibility while calling for a neutral investigation. After New Delhi launched deadly air strikes in Punjab and Azad Kashmir on May 7, Pakistan said it downed five Indian planes in air-to-air combat, later raising the tally to eight. After tit-for-tat strikes on each other’s airbases, it took American intervention on May 10 for both sides to finally reach a ceasefire. Since then, the US president has praised both PM Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on several occasions. Most recently, he called PM Shehbaz a “terrific man” during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly last month.

Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a South African jurist of Indian Tamil descent, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2026 for her efforts to promote peace and strengthen international law. Born to Indian parents in Durban, South Africa, on September 23, 1941, Pillay rose from a disadvantaged background under apartheid to become one of the world's prominent international legal figures.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 According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Pillay has played a significant role in ensuring the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Her career has spanned several major international judicial institutions, including the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court. She also served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. She is currently a judge at the International Court of Justice in the case concerning allegations of genocide against Myanmar.What is Navi Pillay's Indian connection?Pillay's Indian connection traces back to her grandparents, who were of Tamil origin. Her grandfather was brought from India to South Africa to work on sugar plantations under conditions described as “semi-slavery”.Who Is Indian-Origin Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay? All About Her Journey To The 2026 Nobel Peace PrizeHer parents, Narrainsamy Naidoo and Santhama Naidoo, belonged to the Indian Tamil community in South Africa. Her father worked as a bus driver and took up additional jobs, including fishing, to support the family. Born into a financially disadvantaged household, Pillay grew up during apartheid, when racial discrimination restricted opportunities for non-white South Africans.Despite these obstacles, she pursued law and became a pioneering legal figure, challenging systemic discrimination and exclusion.Landmark contributions to international lawPillay's judicial career includes a significant contribution to establishing that rape and sexual violence can constitute crimes against humanity and genocide. She also played an influential role in a landmark case involving incitement to genocide through propaganda.The Nobel Committee praised her courage, integrity and commitment to universal legal principles, emphasising that lasting peace depends on justice and accountability. Her recognition highlights the importance of strengthening international legal institutions at a time when the global rules-based order faces mounting pressure.

Nobel Peace Prize 2026 was awarded to Navanethem "Navi" Pillay, a former judge on the International Criminal Court, which was sanctioned by the Trump administration last year.

Today Navi Pillay is a judge on the International Court of Justice in the case where Myanmar stands accused of genocide.

Ms. Pillay is a judge on the International Court of Justice in the case where Myanmar stands accused of genocide..

Judge Navi Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize - beating other favourites such as Pope Leo and Mark Carney

Navanethem "Navi" Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her work promoting peace and international law.

By Gwladys Fouche and Nora BuliOSLO, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Navi Pillay, a former ICC judge who oversaw a UN report that concluded that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday "for her efforts to promote peace and international law".This year's Nobel Peace Prize underlined the importance of maintaining an organised international order, the committee said in its citation."The system of international law is under tremendous pressure, and its institutions are under attack," it said.

GENEVA, Oct 9 (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights office on Friday welcomed the news of Navi Pillay's Nobel Peace Prize win, acknowledging her longstanding advocacy for human rights."It is amazing news, we need more dedication and commitment to human rights," Shabia Mantoo, spokesperson for theUN human rights office, told reporters in Geneva.Navi Pillay was the former head of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and a former International Criminal Court judge.

OSLO, Oct 9 (Reuters) - South African judge Navanethem "Navi" Pillay, 85, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday "for her efforts to promote peace and international law", the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.Pillay held states and national leaders accountable and brought hope to victims of violence and conflict, and demonstrated a firm moral compass in her long career, the committee said.

South African jurist Navi Pillay, who led the Rwanda genocide tribunal and headed a UN commission that accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The committee praised her efforts to prosecute war crimes and defend international law amid mounting pressure on global justice institutions.

Navi Pillay to receive 12 million Swedish kronor ($1.2 million) in prize money

Pillay was awarded the prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

Navanethem Pillay's judicial career also demonstrated how domestic legal struggles against discrimination and repression could inform the development of international standards of accountability.

Who is Navi Pillay Indianorigin Tamil South African jurist who won Nobel Peace

The Nobel Peace Prize, often considered the most prestigious award on the planet, will be announced Friday in Oslo, Norway.

Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay is a South African human rights lawyer of Indian Tamil origin who has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. It was announced on October 9, 2026, by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The 85-year-old human rights champion received the prestigious honour for her decades-long efforts to promote peace and international law. She spent decades advocating for justice, equality and human rights. Known for her work in international law and her efforts to hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable, Pillay has held several prominent positions in the global human rights community. Keep on reading to know more about it in detail. 2026 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Navi 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,… pic.twitter.com/j2wve4ywZ8— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 9, 2026 Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay receives Nobel Peace PrizeNavanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay is a South African jurist and former U.N. high commissioner for human rights. She has been announced as the winner of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, she has won “for her efforts to promote peace and international law.” Born on September 23, 1941, in Durban, South Africa, Pillay grew up during the apartheid era, when racial discrimination shaped almost every aspect of life in the country. Her parents were of Indian Tamil descent, and her father worked as a bus driver.Nobel Peace Prize announced https://t.co/v3x3F3eped— Reuters (@Reuters) October 9, 2026 Despite facing racial and gender-based barriers, Pillay pursued higher education and studied law at the University of Natal. She later earned advanced law degrees from Harvard University, becoming a prominent legal professional and human rights advocate. Over the course of her career, she has served in several key judicial and international roles, including the roles on South Africa's high court, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Court of Justice.Breaking barriers in South AfricaPillay made history in 1967 when she became the first non-white woman to establish a law practice in Natal, South Africa. During apartheid, she represented political detainees and people facing discrimination, using her legal expertise to challenge injustice.Her work gradually earned her recognition beyond South Africa, particularly for her commitment to protecting vulnerable communities and strengthening the rule of law.Nobel Committee Reacts After Maria Machado Offers Peace Prize To US President Donald TrumpRole in international human rightsPillay served as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which investigated crimes committed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In 1999, she became its president.

Nobel Peace Prize 2026: Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay won this year's Nobel Peace Prize. A judge on the International Court of Justice, Pillay is a human rights champion who headed the Rwanda genocide tribunal and last year accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, the prize committee said.

Norwegian committee recognises achievements of former UN rights chief who stood up against apartheid in South AfricaNobel peace prize – latest updatesFormer UN human rights chief Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a judge on the international court of justice (ICJ), has won the Nobel peace prize.Pillay, 85, from South Africa, who is a judge with the international court of justice, was recognised for her efforts to promote peace and international law, said Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee. Continue reading...

The Nobel Peace Prize was on Friday awarded to South Africa's Navi Pillay, a human rights champion who headed the Rwanda genocide tribunal and last year accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, the prize committee said. The post South Africa’s Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize appeared first on Vanguard News.

International Court of Justice judge Navi Pillay has been awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

Her journey from a laborer neighbourhood in Durban to some of the world's most influential legal institutions is also a story of migration, discrimination and the fight for human rights.

Former UN human rights chief and International Court of Justice judge Navanethem Navi Pillay has received the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing peace and international law. 

South African jurist Navi Pillay has reportedly been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work advancing accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The South African jurist has been recognized “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” said Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

Pillay, who is of Indian-Tamil origin, showed that legal measures can help prevent war and violence, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.

South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay ‌won the Nobel ⁠Peace Prize on Friday “for ⁠her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.

Former U.N. 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.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page South African jurist Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this year. Pillay, 85, has been lauded for promoting peace and international law, from defending Nelson Mandela to serving as a judge in key international court cases. Jørgen Watne Frydnes said Navi has ‘significantly enlarged the scope and impact of international law’ through her work as a judge on the International Court and as former U.N. human rights chief. The committee also said Navi has a ‘firm moral compass’. The award was given to Navi after immense pressure from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly said he ‘earned’ the award. The US president has made no secret of the fact that he is itching to be handed the world’s most prestigious award. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. The judge has worked tirelessly to defend human rights (Picture: AFP) He claimed to have ‘ended seven un-endable wars’ since his second term during his speech at the UN in September last year. Last year, Maria Corina Machado won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for promoting the democratic rights of the people of Venezuela. Machado has received threats from the government and has been forced to live in hiding, but has chosen to remain in the country, which has ‘inspired millions’. She gave her Nobel medal to President Trump as a gesture, but the Nobel Committee said the honour cannot be transferred. What is the Nobel Peace Prize? The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five Nobel Prizes established by wealthy industrialist Alfred Nobel in his will. The criteria for winning the prize are vague. The deserving individual or group should have ‘done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses’. Not only does the recipient garner worldwide praise and recognition; they are also handed an 18-carat gold medal, a diploma, and a cheque for 11 million Swedish crowns (£860,000). The decision makers are a five-member committee, made up mostly of retired politicians, appointed directly by the Norwegian Parliament. Nominations close in January of the year the prize is awarded, with the winner announced in October. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday was awarded to Navanethem "Navi" Pillay forfor her efforts to promote peace and international law.

The South Africa-born Pillay, 85, was recognised for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

The South Africa-born Pillay, 85, was recognised for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

The South Africa-born Pillay, 85, was recognised for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

Pillay has been "instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide are prosecuted", said the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

Judge Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay for significantly enlarging the scope and impact of international law.

”Premiul Nobel pentru Pace pe anul 2026 îi revine unei persoane care, cu un curaj și o integritate excepționale, a deschis calea către o ordine juridică globală mai cuprinzătoare. Laureata din acest an a jucat un rol esențial în asigurarea urmăririi penale a crimelor de război, a crimelor împotriva umanității și a genocidului. Comitetul Nobel […]

Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a South African jurist, is the recipient of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in promoting peace and international law. She was announced as the winner of this year’s prize early Friday morning at a press conference by the Norwegian Nobel Committee held in Oslo, Norway. She will officially receive […]

The Nobel committee recognized the former U.N. human rights chief for work helping “to strengthen the institutions of international law.”

Âgée de 85 ans, elle a notamment été juge et haut-commissaire des Nations unies aux droits de l’homme et présidente du Tribunal pénal international pour le Rwanda.

The committee said it awarded Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

Navanethem “Navi” Pillay was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo made the announcement on Friday. (Source: Associated Press)

Former UN human rights chief Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. The South Africa-born jurist was recognised for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The announcement was made by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo on Friday. Pillay, 85, has served as a judge in South Africa, at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court. She was UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014. Pillay was chair of the...

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 Nobel Peace Prize for 2026 was awarded Friday to Navanethem Pillay "for her efforts to promote peace and international law."

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2026 has been awarded to Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.

Pillay was UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, defended Nelson Mandela and others who stood up against apartheid

Announcing the award, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said it was going to a "person who with exceptional courage and integrity has led the way towards a more comprehensive global legal order."

Pillay has been instrumental in ensuring war crimes and genocide are prosecuted, says the Nobel committee.

Nobel Prize for Peace goes to South African jurist of Indian Tamil origin Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay

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The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

Trump heaped pressure on the Norwegian Committee to give him the award

Navanethem "Navi" Pillay, a South African jurist and former UN high commissioner for human rights, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

South African human rights lawyer Navi Pillay wins the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for advancing human rights and international law.

South African judge Navanethem "Navi" Pillay has won this year's Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. Follow DW live.

Judge defended Mandela, chaired UN inquiry that concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza

OSLO, Norway (AP) — The South African-born jurist and former U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay, who is currently an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her efforts to promote peace and international law.