Srinagar, Oct 9: South African jurist of Indian origin Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a former United Nations human rights chief and international judge, was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her contributions to promoting peace, international law and human rights.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the prestigious award in Oslo, recognising Pillay for her decades-long work in advancing justice, equality and accountability through international legal institutions.
Born on September 23, 1941, in Durban, South Africa, to parents of Indian Tamil descent, Pillay grew up under the apartheid regime and went on to establish herself as a prominent legal advocate for human rights and racial equality.
In 1967, she became the first woman to establish a law practice in South Africa’s Natal Province, overcoming significant racial and gender barriers in the country’s legal profession.
She later became the first Black woman appointed as a judge of South Africa’s High Court, marking a significant milestone in the country’s judicial history.
Pillay played a prominent role in international criminal justice, serving as a judge and president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, where she contributed to the development of international law concerning genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
She subsequently served as a judge at the International Criminal Court before assuming office as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2008, a position she held until 2014.
During her tenure at the United Nations, Pillay advocated the protection of fundamental freedoms, accountability for human rights violations and stronger international mechanisms to address injustice and discrimination.
Her legal career, spanning several decades, has been closely associated with efforts to strengthen international judicial institutions and uphold the principles of equality, justice and the rule of law.
The Nobel Peace Prize is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious international honours, recognising individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to peace and international cooperation.
This year’s award marks the 125th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize, which was first presented in 1901.
The award will be formally presented at a ceremony in Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, the founder of the Nobel Prizes. (KNS)
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