South African jurist Navi Pillay, a former UN human rights chief and ICC judge, received the Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to promote peace and international law. The award came hours before US sanctions on the ICC.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2026 Peace Prize to Navanethem Navi Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The 85-year-old South African judge has served on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the ICC, as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and chaired a UN commission of inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Committee chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes said the award underlined the importance of an organised international legal order at a time when it is under pressure. Pillay learned of the prize while at a conference in Nuremberg's Palace of Justice and joked that she might share it with Trump if applause continued.
She dedicated the award to survivors of international crimes. Israel condemned the choice, citing her role on the Gaza commission that found genocide, a finding Israel rejects. The prize is worth 12 million Swedish crowns and will be presented on 10 December in Oslo.
Pillay is the fifth South African Peace Prize laureate. Her early career included defending anti-apartheid activists.
People Sentiments Positive
- Nobel Committee said Pillay was instrumental in prosecuting war crimes and genocide.
- Pillay said she would dedicate the award to survivors of international crimes.