In brief
Navi Pillay, 85 and former UN human rights chief, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her lifelong work promoting peace and international law. The award recognises her roles in the Rwanda Tribunal, the UN commission on the occupied Palestinian territory and her current work on Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. The Nobel Committee praised her instrumental contribution to prosecuting war crimes and genocide, underlining the importance of international law amid widespread conflict. The announcement sparked reactions across the globe, including criticism from Israel and praise from South Africa and Amnesty International.
Navi Pillay, 85, former UN human rights chief and judge at the International Court of Justice, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The award recognises her lifelong work in promoting peace, international law and a comprehensive global legal order.
Her distinguished career included defending anti‑apartheid activists in South Africa, serving on the Rwanda tribunal, chairing the UN commission on the occupied Palestinian territory, and now contributing to the ICJ case concerning Myanmar and the Rohingya.
The Nobel Committee praised Pillay as instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted, noting her moral compass amid a world of rising conflict.
Pillay first learned of her recognition through a call in Nuremberg’s Palace of Justice – an image that became symbolic of the moment. She laughed, joking that if applause did not increase she might share the prize with Donald Trump.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed her as a pioneer defender of human dignity, while Amnesty International called her an inspired choice for the award. Her nomination arrives amid fresh disputes over Israel‑Gaza hostilities and Myanmar’s alleged genocide.
The Israeli foreign ministry condemned the award as weaponising the prize, whereas the UN reaffirmed Pillay’s vital role in upholding the rule of law.
