Human Rights Activist Navanethem Navi Pillay Wins Nobel Peace Prize
South African jurist and human rights activist Navanethem Navi Pillay has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her longstanding contributions to strengthening international law, protecting human rights and ensuring accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced her name on Friday (October 9) in Oslo, the capital of Norway.
Pillay has worked for decades to promote human rights and justice on the international stage. She served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014. Before that, she served as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court.
During the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, Pillay worked as a lawyer representing people who faced discrimination. Later, her role in the international justice system became important in the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, as well as efforts to ensure accountability for those responsible.
Her longstanding work to promote international law and the rule of law has played a significant role in advancing peace and justice. She has also contributed to ensuring justice for crimes committed during conflicts and strengthening the effectiveness of international legal institutions.
In 2025, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in recognition of her longstanding struggle for the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people and peaceful democratic change in the country.
In 2024, the prize went to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese anti-nuclear weapons organisation formed by survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The organisation has campaigned for a world free of nuclear weapons.
In 2023, Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi received the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her efforts to promote human rights and freedom.
The 2022 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Belarusian human rights activist Ales Bialiatski, the Russian human rights organisation Memorial and Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties. In 2021, Filipino journalist Maria Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov jointly received the prize for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has received the Nobel Peace Prize three times, in 1917, 1944 and 1963. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has won the prize twice, in 1954 and 1981.
Source: Reuters
