Former United Nations human rights chief and International Court of Justice (ICJ) judge Navi Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her work promoting peace, human rights and international law.

The Nobel Committee recognised the 85-year-old South African judge for her efforts to strengthen international law and advance accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Pillay, who grew up during apartheid in Durban, began her legal career defending anti-apartheid activists. In 1967, she became the first woman to establish a law practice in South Africa’s Natal Province and later became the first non-white woman appointed to the country’s High Court.

She subsequently served as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, including four years as its president, and as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014.

Between 2021 and 2025, Pillay chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which investigated alleged violations of international law.

She currently serves as an ICJ judge in proceedings brought by The Gambia against Myanmar over alleged genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Myanmar denies the allegations.

Announcing the award, Nobel Committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes said Pillay’s work had been instrumental in ensuring that serious international crimes were prosecuted.

He said international law had become an absolute necessity for peace and security amid growing global conflicts.

Pillay expressed surprise at the announcement, initially joking that the news “must be a joke” before thanking those who had gathered to congratulate her.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk described the award as a reaffirmation that human rights, the rule of law, justice and accountability are fundamental to peace, security and prosperity.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also praised Pillay for her work defending anti-apartheid activists and promoting human dignity in South Africa and around the world.