South African jurist and former United Nations human rights chief Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her work promoting international law and ensuring accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award on Friday, October 9, recognising Pillay’s decades-long contribution to international justice and the development of a stronger global legal order.

Born in Durban in 1941 to a family of Indian Tamil origin during apartheid, Pillay built a distinguished legal career challenging discrimination and defending those who opposed the apartheid system, including activists associated with Nelson Mandela’s struggle.

She later served as a judge on South Africa’s High Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court.

From 2008 to 2014, she served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Pillay also chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory from 2021 to 2025.

She is an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice in the genocide case involving Myanmar.

The Nobel Committee highlighted her role in landmark legal proceedings at the Rwanda tribunal, where rape and sexual violence were recognised as acts that could constitute crimes against humanity and genocide.

Her work also contributed to legal action over incitement to genocide through propaganda.

In announcing the award, the committee stressed that international law was increasingly under pressure as conflicts intensified and global institutions faced political challenges.

It said the recognition was intended to underline the importance of resolving disputes through legal frameworks rather than force, adding that lasting peace depended on justice and accountability.

Pillay’s award was welcomed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who described the honour as recognition of her lifelong commitment to justice, human dignity, and peace.