Oslo:Palestine South African jurist Navi Pillay has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her efforts in defending international law and documenting Israeli actions, a decision welcomed by Palestinian authorities.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry stated that Pillay's award elevates "the voice of truth and the voice of the oppressed." Her contributions to advancing peace and international law have been acknowledged as significant.
Throughout her career, Pillay has been dedicated to upholding law and justice, defending the rights of oppressed individuals globally, including Palestinians. Her leadership as chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, from 2021 to 2025, was notably praised for documenting various violations such as genocide and attacks on children.
The ministry emphasized that the prize also recognizes those defending international law and justice, encouraging accountability for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It highlighted Pillay's consistent advocacy for the universality of law and equality, asserting that "there can be no lasting peace without justice and equality for all."
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to the 85-year-old for her extensive work in promoting peace and international law. Her contributions as UN high commissioner for human rights, a judge at the International Criminal Court, and president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda were highlighted.
Pillay's legal career began during apartheid in South Africa, where she challenged racial discrimination. Her accomplishments include serving as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice. The UN commission she led concluded in 2025 that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a finding Israel rejected.
The Nobel Peace Prize will be presented in Oslo on December 10, in commemoration of Alfred Nobel's death anniversary.