Navi Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prise for Advancing International Law

Stockholm, 9 October 2026 (ONA) – South African judge and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has been given the 2026 Nobel Peace Prise for her work in promoting peace, international law and human rights.

The award statement said Pillay was honoured for defending principles of international law and for advancing accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Her work has concentrated on building a worldwide system where justice and judicial systems are above threats, violence and conflict.

The statement called Pillay “a leading figure in international law.” Throughout her career, she has campaigned to fight impunity, safeguard human rights and uphold human dignity.

Pillay has held various significant judicial and international posts. She was a judge on South Africa’s Supreme Court, a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and eventually the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.