2026 – Navanethem Pillay | United Nations

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, “for her efforts to promote peace and international law.” 

The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized her lifelong commitment to human rights, her contributions to international justice and her role in advancing accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2026

From challenging apartheid in South Africa to shaping international criminal justice, Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has spent decades defending human rights and advancing the rule of law.

Born in Durban, South Africa, in 1941, Pillay grew up under apartheid and experienced racial discrimination firsthand. In 1967, she became the first woman to establish a law practice in Natal Province, defending anti-apartheid activists, including Nelson Mandela, and advocating for the rights of political prisoners. In 1995, she became the first black woman appointed as a judge to South Africa’s High Court.

That same year, she joined the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, established to prosecute those responsible for the 1994 genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law. During her eight years at the Tribunal, including four as its President, she helped shape international criminal law. In a landmark 1998 judgment, the Tribunal established that rape and sexual violence could constitute genocide when committed with the intent to destroy a protected group.

Pillay subsequently served as a judge at the International Criminal Court from 2003 to 2008. She was then appointed United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, serving from 2008 to 2014 and advocating for human rights, equality, the protection of vulnerable populations and accountability for serious violations.

Her commitment to international justice continued as Chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel from 2021 to 2025. She has also served as a judge ad hoc at the International Court of Justice in the case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar under the Genocide Convention.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres: “She has shown that the force of law must prevail over the law of force and that defending human rights is the surest safeguard against injustice.”

Congratulating Pillay on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, Secretary-General António Guterres described her as a champion of international law and human rights and a steadfast, independent voice for justice. He stressed that the award was also a tribute to all those working to uphold international law, the rule of law and human rights, and to secure peace, justice and human dignity.

In announcing the award, the Norwegian Nobel Committee emphasized Pillay’s courage, integrity and contributions to strengthening the international legal order. At a time when international law and the institutions responsible for upholding it face growing pressure, the Committee reaffirmed that lasting peace depends on justice, accountability and respect for the rule of law.

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