Israel calls Navi Pillay's win a 'grotesque weaponization' of Nobel Peace Prize

Navanethem Navi Pillay received the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her dedication to advancing peace and international law. This marks the fifth Nobel awarded this week, following literature, chemistry, physics, and medicine. The prestigious honor comes to the South African jurist after she was awarded five accolades this week. Here are five key facts about Navanethem Navi Pillay:

1. Pillay made history as the first Black woman to serve on South Africa’s High Court in 1995, following the end of apartheid. Born in Durban to Indian parents of Tamil descent on September 23, 1941, she played a pivotal role in dismantling racial segregation.

2. In 1967, Pillay became the first woman to establish a law practice in South Africa’s Natal province, where she passionately defended anti-apartheid activists. Her unwavering commitment to justice and equality saw her fighting against the mistreatment of political detainees.

3. Pillay's work as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was instrumental in the landmark Akayesu case. She played a crucial role in establishing that rape and sexual violence could be considered acts of genocide under certain circumstances, serving as tribunal president from 1999 to 2003.

4. From 2008 to 2014, Pillay held the position of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, championing the protection of human rights globally. Her leadership and advocacy efforts were instrumental in bringing justice to victims of human rights abuses around the world.

5. Pillay pursued her legal education at Harvard University, earning a master’s degree in law in 1982 and a Doctor of Juridical Science degree in 1988. She also co-founded Equality Now, an international organization dedicated to advancing women’s rights. Her unwavering commitment to justice and human rights has made her a trailblazer in the legal and human rights community.