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Indian origin human rights lawyer from South Africa Navanethem “Navi” Pillay was declared the winner of Nobel Peace Prize 2026 on Friday (October 9) for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

Pillay served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014 and served as a judge of the High Court of South Africa. She also served as a judge of the International Criminal Court and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

A press release issued by the Nobel Prize Organization states that Pillay has been instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted.

"The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2026 to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay for her for her efforts to promote peace and international law". 

The note states that Pillay's commitment to universal legal principles and her firm moral compass are constants in a long career. Pillay was born in a Indian Tamil origin family in Durban, South Africa and went on to become a lawyer.

"This year's laureate has significantly enlarged the scope and impact of international law. She has served as a judge on the High Court in South Africa, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court. She was the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and, until recently, she chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Today Navi Pillay is a judge on the International Court of Justice in the case where Myanmar stands accused of genocide.
In historic international court cases, she has shown that legal measures can help prevent acts of war and violence. Navi Pillay has also contributed to strengthen the institutions of international law. Her independence, expertise and steadfastness have made her one of the most respected international jurists of our time," the note adds. 

The press note states that history has shown that a world operating without the rule of law is unjust, unwise and inhumane and the judges – those who guard the thin red line between order and chaos – are therefore highly deserving of praise.

"But today, as these same judges are sanctioned, and their institutions are attacked, we need people of courage, vision and determination – qualities that Navi Pillay demonstrates in her work on the bench," the note adds. 

It states that Pillay has held states and national leaders accountable and brought hope to victims of violence and conflict. In all the positions she has held, she has stressed the responsibility of individuals and states to comply with the rule of law. S

It states that when the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda established that rape and sexual violence could constitute a crime against humanity – as well as genocide – Pillay's influence was a significant factor. In the same case, it is stated that, Pillay was instrumental in a separate legal breakthrough where for the first time, a defendant faced charges of incitement to commit genocide purely on the basis of spreading propaganda.

It states that Pillay is one of the great defenders of international legal principles in our time. Her distinguished career reminds us of the need to support, fortify and expand the global rule of law and her commitment to justice and human dignity is a "source of hope and inspiration to all who seek to bring about a more peaceful world". 

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To Read the full text of the Order CLICK HERE