Navi Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the prize to the South African jurist for her work promoting peace and international law. The decision was announced in Oslo on Friday, October 9.

Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, 85, is a former United Nations high commissioner for human rights and a judge on the International Court of Justice. The Nobel Committee cited her efforts to promote peace and international law.

During her career, Pillay held senior and judicial roles at international institutions. She served as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court, and until recently chaired the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The commission accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, Franceinfo reported. That wording reflects the commission’s findings and is not a ruling by an international court.

There were 287 nominees for the 2026 prize, including 208 individuals and 79 organizations. The source report said there had been 338 nominees a year earlier, including 244 individuals and 94 organizations. The record was 376 nominations in 2016.