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Former UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize
09 October 2026
© UN Photo
A daughter of a South African bus driver, Navi Pillay rose from anti-apartheid activism to become a judge and eventually lead UN Human Rights. She has now been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law.
Pillay, who served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014, was visibly moved by the announcement.
“Firstly, at this venue, your applause means a great deal to me," Pillay said after responding to applause from a crowd on learning she had won the Nobel Peace Prize. "You know, you don't want to receive an award, prize or anything unless the public agrees that you deserve this.”
Announcing the award, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, warned of a dangerous shift towards a world in which might takes precedence over right.
“Whenever might overtakes right, it undermines stability, trust and peaceful coexistence,” Frydnes said, praising Pillay’s decades of work to strengthen international law.
Frydnes hailed Navi Pillay as a premier international jurist of our time and lauded her decades of dedication to international law.
Pillay recently chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory in 2025.
“She embodies international law — having served in many functions, both in South Africa and internationally as judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court, and the now International Court of Justice,” said UN Human Right Chief Volker Türk.
She previously led the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Writing in the Harvard Law Review, Pillay recalled that she initially viewed the appointment as a one-year assignment.
“Instead, I remained for more than eight years, compelled by a sense that the imperatives for justice for Rwandan genocide victims were so dire that my own personal feelings and preferences paled in significance,” Pillay said.
“Those who commit crimes and human rights violations must be held accountable and that peace without justice is untenable for rebuilding deeply fractured communities.”
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay meets members of the Roma community in Italy. © UN photo
Türk warmly congratulated his predecessor on the award.
“This is a proud moment for the global human rights movement. I warmly congratulate Navi. To say it is well-deserved is an understatement,” he said.
Türk said the award was also a tribute to human rights defenders everywhere.
“At a time when human rights are under attack on so many fronts, including from those who wield enormous power, this award is particularly poignant,” he said. “It is an award to all those who, around the world, dedicate their lives to the defence of human rights — often at great risk to their security.”
The award recognises and reaffirms that human rights, the rule of law, justice and accountability are fundamental to peace, security and prosperity, Türk added.
“On behalf of all her colleagues at the UN Human Rights Office, thank you Navi. You continue to inspire us and millions of others,” Türk said. “We will prevail.”
UN High Commissioner Volker Türk had a special message for Navi Pillay. Watch his message to her.