Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize for career defending international law
OSLO: The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded Friday to South Africa’s Navi Pillay, the judge who headed the Rwanda genocide tribunal and presided over a UN commission which accused Israel of genocide in Gaza – a move angrily denounced by Israel.
The Nobel Peace Prize was bestowed on South African judge Navi Pillay on Friday. Pillay, 85, previously headed the Rwanda genocide tribunal and presided over a UN commission that accused Israel of genocide in Gaza – a claim fiercely rejected by Israel. Currently a judge at the International Court of Justice, Pillay spent her career advocating for international law.
She dedicated her award to survivors of international crimes, speaking from the courtroom in Nuremberg, Germany, where World War II Nazi leaders face trial. Pillay's efforts to ensure prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide were recognized by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Israel's foreign ministry denounced the award as legitimizing anti-Israel hatred.
The UN praised Pillay's work as a testament to the need and value of human rights. The prize, including a gold medal, diploma, and $1.2 million, will be presented on December 10.
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