Nobel Peace Prize goes to South African jurist Navi Pillay for international law work

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on October 9 that the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize goes to Navanethem (Navi) Pillay, 85, the South African-born former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights who also served as a judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The committee cited her "contribution to the promotion of peace and international law" and said she played an important role in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted. Nippon TV said the prize was announced on the evening of October 9 Japan time. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 11 , 12 , 14 ]

According to Nippon TV, the committee said Pillay "held states and their leaders accountable and brought hope to victims of violence and conflict" and "consistently emphasised that individuals and states have a responsibility to comply with the rule of law". Tokyo Shimbun, citing Kyodo, reported that the committee said "the international legal system is under strong pressure", called Pillay "one of the great guardians of international law" and said that amid many wars and conflicts "international law is no longer a supplement to peace and security but absolutely indispensable". The committee also said that "at a time when judges themselves are sanctioned and their institutions attacked, we need people with courage, foresight and determination", and TBS reported it said Pillay demonstrates exactly those qualities. Nippon TV, TBS and Tokyo Shimbun said these remarks were made with the Trump administration's sanctions on ICC judges, including the court's president Tomoko Akane, in mind. [ 5 , 7 , 14 ]

TBS quoted committee chair Frydnes (フリードネス) as saying the prize is "a clear message to those who attack and weaken international institutions, rules and related organisations", and that he hoped it would empower not only Pillay but also institutions and individuals involved in international law. Asahi reported that the United States and Russia are hostile to the ICC, that the US has declared it will "dismantle" the court and has sanctioned Akane and others, and said the choice of Pillay is a strong message from the committee on the importance of the rule of law. Tokyo Shimbun said the Trump administration has sanctioned Akane, 70, and others and called on countries to withdraw from the court. TBS reported early on October 10 that the Trump administration had announced sanctions on the ICC itself. Yomiuri said the award stressed the rule of law at a time of armed conflicts including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the military clash between the United States and Iran. [ 4 , 7 , 12 , 14 , 24 ]

Pillay held a press conference on October 9 in Nuremberg, Germany, where she was staying. She said she was deeply honoured and grateful, and that she dedicates the prize to all survivors of international crimes. She said international law and human rights are under intense political attack and that her conviction had been strengthened that "we must stand together to protect the rule of law, independent courts and the international legal order". [ 4 , 23 ]

Pillay worked as a lawyer defending anti-apartheid activists in South Africa and, according to TBS, exposed the torture of political prisoners. Nippon TV said she was the first non-white woman judge at the South African High Court. She later served as president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, as an ICC judge and as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and TBS said she is currently a judge at the International Court of Justice. TBS and Mainichi also noted that she chaired the UN Human Rights Council's commission of inquiry on Israel and Palestine, which last year published a report finding that Israel's operations in Gaza since 2023 constitute genocide. [ 5 , 7 , 11 , 14 , 18 ]

Mainichi reported that the five-member committee chose from 287 candidates this year, 208 individuals and 79 organisations, nominated by governments, parliamentarians, professors, past laureates and staff of international organisations, and that at 85 Pillay is the second-oldest laureate at the time of the award. The ceremony will be held on December 10 in Oslo, and the prize money is 12 million Swedish kronor, about 190 million yen. Last year's prize went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Livedoor News and TBS noted that President Trump did not receive the prize. [ 1 , 5 , 8 , 14 , 17 , 24 ]