South African judge Navi Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

South African jurist Navi Pillay has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her dedication to promoting peace and international law. The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized Pillay's efforts to ensure the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, citing her exceptional courage and integrity throughout her long career.

Born under apartheid in Durban, Pillay has been a legal pioneer, advocating for marginalized communities and confronting structural discrimination. She has served on various international courts, including the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court, as well as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Nobel Committee highlighted her significant impact on international law, particularly in expanding its scope and impact, and praised her independence, expertise, and steadfastness in advancing a more comprehensive global legal order.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.