South African jurist and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her contributions to peace, international law and human rights.
The 85-year-old was announced as the winner by the Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday, with its chairman, Jorgen Watne Frydnes, praising her longstanding efforts to promote justice and accountability.
Frydnes described Pillay’s work as “a source of hope and inspiration to all those who seek to bring about a more peaceful world.”
The committee said she had consistently held governments and national leaders accountable while offering hope to victims of violence and conflict throughout her career.
It also highlighted her early legal work defending anti-apartheid activists, including Nelson Mandela, and her subsequent service as a judge in several major international court cases.
Pillay chaired the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which concluded last year that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Israel rejected the report, describing it as “scandalous”.
Explaining the significance of the award, the Nobel Committee said the growing number of wars and conflicts, alongside political attacks on judges and international legal institutions, made the defence of international law increasingly important.
“An international legal system in which war criminals are held to account and the victims of abuse see justice served is a precondition for a peaceful world,” the committee stated.
Born in Durban, South Africa, to a family of Indian Tamil origin, Pillay built an international legal career spanning several decades.
She served as a judge at the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, among other judicial roles.
The United Nations human rights office welcomed her recognition, commending her continued advocacy for human rights across the world.
Its spokesperson, Shabia Mantoo, said, “We hope it will encourage and continue to encourage and inspire others to speak out in protection and promotion of the human rights of all people around the world.”
The Nobel Peace Prize carries an award of 12 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to approximately £910,249, and will be presented in Oslo, Norway, on December 10.
This year’s award marks the 125th anniversary of the prize.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee received 287 nominations for the 2026 award, including individuals and organisations.
Among those considered were Pope Leo, the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice and Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her campaign for a democratic transition in Venezuela.
Machado dedicated the award to US President Donald Trump for “his decisive support of our cause” and handed him her Nobel medal after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was ousted in January 2026.
However, the Nobel Committee has maintained that the honour itself cannot be transferred to another person.
