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South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to peace and international law, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday.
The committee honoured Pillay for her efforts to ensure justice for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. It praised her courage, integrity and commitment to building a more inclusive global legal system.
Born in Durban, South Africa, in 1941 to a family of Indian Tamil origin, Pillay pursued a legal career during the apartheid era. She worked against racial discrimination and represented anti-apartheid activists, including Nelson Mandela.
Pillay has held several prominent international positions and has played a significant role in advancing human rights and accountability under international law.
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually to individuals or organisations recognised for their contributions to peace. The award ceremony will be held in Oslo on December 10.
Last year, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote democratic rights and support a peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela.