Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay, a South African jurist of Indian origin, was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The prize, worth $1.2 million, will be presented in Oslo on December 10.
Pillay, 85, was praised by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for her commitment to universal legal principles and her role in holding states and leaders accountable. She is described as one of the most respected international jurists of her time, having served as a judge on the International Court of Justice and as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Her career has focused on advancing human rights, including her work on the UN Commission of Inquiry on Palestine, where she concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Pillay has also championed women's rights and the rights of victims of domestic violence.
President Trump criticized the award, claiming it was 'forever discredited' and that he 'should have won' the prize. He accused Pillay of 'hating Israel' and questioned her qualifications for the honor.