South Africa's Navanethem Navi Pillay Wins Nobel Peace Prize
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awards Pillay the Peace Prize for her role in promoting international law and prosecuting war criminals
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Brussels -- The Norwegian Nobel Committee said in a statement that awarding the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to the South African judge is in recognition of her efforts, particularly her prominent role in strengthening international law and ensuring that perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide are held accountable, while praising her courage, integrity, and commitment to global legal principles.
Pillay is among the foremost human rights defenders. She presided over the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and last year accused the Israeli occupation of committing genocide in Gaza. The committee added that her career began with defending Nelson Mandela and others who fought against the apartheid system in South Africa, before she assumed prominent judicial positions at both the national and international levels.
Pillay served as a judge at the South African Supreme Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and the International Criminal Court. She also held the position of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and, until recently, chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Currently, Pillay serves as a judge at the International Court of Justice in the case in which Myanmar faces allegations of genocide.
The committee noted that Pillay contributed to the development of international law, particularly through her role in establishing the recognition of rape and sexual violence as crimes against humanity and as acts of genocide, as well as setting legal precedents regarding the incitement to genocide through the dissemination of propaganda.
The committee emphasized that international law forms the foundation for achieving lasting peace and resolving disputes by peaceful means, warning of increasing pressure on international legal institutions and a decline in respect for legal rules in favor of policies of power. It stated that honoring Pillay aims to underscore the importance of the rule of law, both nationally and internationally, as a fundamental pillar for preventing conflicts and promoting justice and peaceful coexistence among states and peoples.
The Nobel Peace Prize is worth 11 million Swedish kronor and will be awarded in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, on December 10 of next year. (End) Arn M T M A
