South African human rights lawyer Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has been named the winner of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her efforts to promote peace and international law.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award, praising the 85-year-old jurist for her contributions to advancing justice, human rights and accountability under international law.
The committee’s chair, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, said Pillay had helped advance a more comprehensive global legal order through exceptional courage.
He described her commitment to justice and human dignity as a source of hope and inspiration to people working towards a more peaceful world.
Born in Durban, South Africa, Pillay made history in 1967 when she became the first woman to establish a law practice in the then Natal province.
During the apartheid era, she represented anti-apartheid activists, exposed cases of torture and helped secure important rights for prisoners held on Robben Island.
Following the end of apartheid, Pillay was appointed an acting judge of the South African High Court in 1995. In the same year, she joined the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which was established to prosecute those responsible for the 1994 genocide.
She served on the tribunal for eight years, including four years as its president, contributing to international efforts to establish accountability for genocide and other serious crimes.
Pillay later served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2012, overseeing the UN’s work on the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.
Until recently, she also chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which investigated alleged violations of international law.
Pillay has further contributed to international jurisprudence through her involvement in proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), including the case in which Myanmar is accused of genocide against the Rohingya.
Her career spanning national and international judicial institutions has established her as a prominent figure in the pursuit of human rights, justice and the rule of law.
