Former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and International Court of Justice (ICJ) judge, Navi Pillay, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to human rights, international law and accountability for serious international crimes.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said Pillay was recognised for her efforts to promote peace and international law, which it said had helped advance a more comprehensive global legal order.
Pillay, 85, is a South African jurist whose decades-long career has included defending anti-apartheid activists, serving as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and leading investigations into alleged violations of international law.
Announcing the award, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, said Pillay’s work had been instrumental in efforts to ensure that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide were prosecuted.
He said international law had become essential to peace and security amid rising global conflicts.
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Pillay dedicated the award to survivors of international crimes and practitioners of international justice, praising their courage and commitment to ensuring accountability.
Born and raised in Durban, South Africa, during the apartheid era, Pillay came from a disadvantaged background and went on to become the first woman to establish a law practice in Natal Province in 1967.
She later became the first non-white woman appointed to South Africa’s High Court.
Pillay subsequently served as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which investigated the 1994 genocide in which about 800,000 people were killed. She also served as president of the tribunal for four years.
In 2003, she was elected as a judge of the International Criminal Court, before serving as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014.
Between 2021 and 2025, Pillay chaired the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which investigated alleged violations of international law.
The commission concluded that Israel had committed genocidal acts in Gaza and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant of inciting genocide. Israel rejected the findings, accusing the commission of political bias.
The commission also found that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups had committed war crimes and other serious violations of international law during the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. The report also accused Israel of war crimes.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticised the Nobel award, describing it as an attempt to legitimise what it called anti-Israel prejudice.
United States President Donald Trump, who has previously expressed interest in receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, also shared criticism of the committee’s decision on social media.
However, Frydnes said the award recognised Pillay’s overall career and did not represent a position by the Nobel Committee on whether Israel’s military offensive in Gaza constituted genocide.
Pillay currently serves as a judge at the International Court of Justice in proceedings brought by The Gambia against Myanmar over allegations of genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Myanmar denies the allegations.
The award has drawn praise from international and South African leaders.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described Pillay as a steadfast and independent voice for justice in major international legal cases.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said the recognition reaffirmed the importance of human rights, the rule of law and accountability to global peace, security and prosperity.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also praised Pillay’s contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle and her efforts to uphold human dignity in South Africa and around the world.
Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnès Callamard described the award as timely, saying international law and justice were facing growing challenges.
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually to individuals or organisations recognised for their contributions to peace.
