Navi Pillay dedicates Nobel Peace Prize to survivors of international crimes

Navi Pillay dedicated her 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to survivors of international crimes and defenders of international justice at an October 9 news conference.

Pillay expressed gratitude for the award and praised the compassion and courage of professionals working against impunity. RIA Novosti and eNCA reported her statement.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced its decision in Oslo on Friday, recognizing her efforts to promote peace and international law. The South African jurist of Tamil descent previously served as UN high commissioner for human rights.

Her judicial career includes South Africa’s High Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court. She also chaired a UN inquiry into the occupied Palestinian territories. Pillay currently serves as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice in the case concerning alleged genocide in Myanmar.