The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Justice Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, has dedicated her award to survivors of international crimes.
Pillay was announced as this year’s winner by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo, Norway, on Friday, in recognition of her “work to promote peace and international law”.
The 85-year-old Pillay addressed her first media briefing in Nuremberg, Germany, since being announced as this year’s recipient.
“Let me dedicate this award to all the survivors of international crimes, as well as to practitioners and defenders of international justice, whose compassion and courage continue to ensure that impunity will not be allowed to reign.
“We are living through an era when international law and human rights are under significant political attack.
“This worsening reality is particularly visible in the attacks on the International Criminal Court,” said Pillay.
She highlighted that the award comes at a time when there are attempts to weaken international criminal justice, with some countries calling for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to be banned or defying its judgments.
Pillay added that she was deeply honoured and grateful to have received the prize, describing the recognition as a vote of confidence in a global legal order under fire.
“This award strengthens my conviction that we must stand together in defence of the rule of law, in defence of independent courts, and of an international legal order based on principle rather than selectivity,” remarked Pillay.
The jurist chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza.
Her report contributed to efforts by South Africa and other countries to bring Israel before the International Court of Justice, accusing it of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Furthermore, she called for the protection of human rights and warned political leaders that they had a legal obligation to uphold them.
“No matter what other obligation you have morally, you have a legal obligation to protect human rights and refrain from war and make the Charter of the United States a reality.
“That’s an obligation I call upon every state to fulfil. And the last thing we want is for rogue states to act on their own, such as the attack on the International Criminal Court,” warned Pillay.
Pillay revealed that the committee had been unable to contact her directly because she was attending a conference in Nuremberg. She said she initially feared that something bad had happened to a family member when she was called aside.
“Well, I was sitting here minding my own business, listening to the panel, because, you know, you’re always learning.
“So, it was a total surprise.
“The director, Professor Christoph Saeppling, called me out and then said, ‘Would you mind sitting down?’
“I thought the worst, you know, something has happened to my children. I saw his serious face, but he had this happy news.
“That’s the way I heard it,” explained Pillay.
She becomes the first South African woman to win the award and the fifth South African to receive it, following former ANC president Chief Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and former presidents Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk.
Pillay has served in various roles, including as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and a judge at the International Criminal Court.
The prize, worth approximately R20 million, will be presented in Oslo on 10 December.
