OSLO: South African human rights lawyer Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to human rights, international law and justice, while US President Donald Trump has once again missed out on the prestigious award.
According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Pillay has made significant contributions to advancing international law and accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Born on September 23, 1941, in Durban, South Africa, Pillay comes from a family of Indian Tamil origin.
She grew up during the apartheid era and became one of the prominent legal figures involved in defending anti-apartheid activists and challenging discriminatory practices.
Following the end of apartheid, Pillay served as a judge in South Africa’s High Court before joining the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
During her tenure at the tribunal, she played an important role in advancing the recognition of sexual violence as a crime under international law.
From 2008 to 2014, Pillay served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, working to promote human rights and strengthen international accountability.
She also chaired the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, which investigated alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
The Nobel Committee highlighted the importance of international law, justice and human dignity at a time when the world continues to face multiple conflicts and humanitarian crises.
Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his claimed contributions to resolving international conflicts. However, the 2026 award has gone to Pillay in recognition of her decades-long work in human rights and international justice.
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, unlike the other Nobel Prizes, which are administered in Sweden. The award ceremony traditionally takes place in Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.