OSLO: The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2026 to South African human rights lawyer Navi Pillay on Friday for her work advancing international justice and accountability.
The committee recognised Pillay’s decades of efforts to uphold international law and pursue accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Pillay, 85, began her legal career challenging apartheid in South Africa before becoming a prominent international judge.
She later served as president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and as a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC). She also served as the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights.
More recently, Pillay chaired a UN commission investigating the conflict in Gaza. The commission concluded that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians, a finding Israel rejects.
Pillay learned of her award while attending an event in Nuremberg, Germany, at the site of the post-Second World War war crimes trials.
Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the announcement and praised her commitment to human dignity and international justice.
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He said her work had strengthened efforts to protect human rights and promote peace beyond South Africa. The UN human rights office also welcomed the decision.
High Commissioner Volker Türk described the recognition as a victory for human rights and accountability. International Criminal Court President Judge Tomoko Akane praised the award as recognition of international justice’s role in maintaining peace.
However, Israel criticised the decision, accusing Pillay of promoting hostility towards the country. The Nobel Committee said its selection recognised her broader career rather than endorsing a specific conclusion about Gaza.
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Haakon Gjerløw, acting director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, welcomed the decision as support for international courts facing political pressure.
Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnès Callamard also praised Pillay’s selection, citing growing challenges to international law.
