Oslo, October 9: South African jurist of Indian origin Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and a judge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. <Cite refs={[“turn208350news12″,”turn208350search0”]}/>
Born on September 23, 1941, in Durban, South Africa, to parents of Indian Tamil origin, Pillay grew up during the apartheid era. She went on to build a distinguished legal career, championing human rights, equality and justice while challenging racial discrimination.
In 1967, Pillay became the first woman to establish a law practice in South Africa’s Natal Province. She later made history as the first Black woman to serve as a judge on South Africa’s High Court.
Throughout her career, Pillay held several prominent positions in international justice. She served as a judge and president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014. She has also served as a judge at the International Court of Justice.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award in Oslo on Friday, recognising Pillay’s contribution to strengthening international law and promoting accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. <Cite refs={[“turn208350search2″,”turn208350search3”]}/>
Her work in international justice has included efforts to ensure that serious human rights violations are investigated and prosecuted, reinforcing the role of legal institutions in addressing conflicts and protecting fundamental rights.
Pillay’s journey from apartheid-era South Africa to the highest levels of international law has made her a prominent figure in the global human rights community.
The 2026 award comes as the Nobel Peace Prize marks its 125th anniversary. The prestigious honour recognises individuals and organisations whose work has made significant contributions to peace, international cooperation and human rights.
