ICC President Akane congratulates ex-ICC judge Navi Pillay on Nobel Peace Prize
In short
International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane issued a statement on October 9 congratulating Navi Pillay, a former ICC judge and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, on being chosen for the Nobel Peace Prize. Akane said the award recognised the vital role international justice plays as the foundation of lasting peace, and that it carried particular significance while the international legal order and the rule of law face serious challenges.
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International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane issued a statement on October 9 congratulating Navi Pillay, a former ICC judge and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, on being chosen for the Nobel Peace Prize. Akane said the award meant that the vital role international justice plays as the foundation of lasting peace had been recognised, according to reports by Jiji Press, Kyodo News carried by Tokyo Shimbun, TBS and Nippon TV. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
In the statement, Akane noted that Pillay served as an ICC judge from 2003 to 2008, and Jiji Press and TBS reported that she also referred to Pillay's service as president and judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Akane said that at a time when the international legal order and the rule of law face serious challenges, the recognition carries particular significance. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Pillay is from South Africa; Nippon TV described her as a South African international law scholar. [ 1 , 5 ]
Kyodo News reported that the ICC, along with the International Court of Justice, which is also in The Hague, had been seen as a leading contender for this year's Peace Prize. TBS reported that the ICC had drawn attention as a strong contender as Russia and the US Trump administration stepped up pressure on Akane and others. Nippon TV reported that Akane and others have been sanctioned by the Trump administration, and that the Nobel committee had said in connection with Pillay's award that, with judges facing sanctions, people with courage and resolute determination are needed. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Nippon TV, citing Reuters, reported that Pillay said after the announcement that the world risked sliding back to "rule by force rather than by law", and stressed the need to stand united to protect the international legal order. [ 5 ]
Why it matters
Japanese outlets linked the award to pressure on the ICC: TBS reported that Russia and the US Trump administration have stepped up pressure on Akane and others, and Nippon TV reported that the Trump administration has sanctioned Akane and others. Nippon TV reported that the Nobel committee cited the need for people with courage and determination while judges face sanctions.
Key facts
- Navi Pillay, a former ICC judge, was chosen for the Nobel Peace Prize. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Pillay is a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- ICC President Tomoko Akane issued a statement on October 9 congratulating Pillay. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Akane said the award recognised the vital role international justice plays as the foundation of lasting peace. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Pillay served as an ICC judge from 2003 to 2008. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Pillay also served as president and judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. [ 1 , 4 ]
- Pillay is from South Africa. [ 1 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- ICC President Tomoko Akane issued a statement on October 9 welcoming Pillay's Nobel Peace Prize. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Akane said the award recognised the important role of international justice as the foundation of lasting peace. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Akane said the recognition has particular significance at a time when the international legal order and the rule of law face serious challenges. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Pillay was an ICC judge from 2003 to 2008. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The ICC had been seen as a strong contender for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. [ 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- The Nobel committee said, in connection with Pillay's award, that people with courage and determination are needed while judges face sanctions. Reported only by Nippon TV.
- Pillay warned after the announcement that the world could slide back to rule by force rather than by law. Reported only by Nippon TV, citing Reuters.
- Akane and others have been sanctioned by the US Trump administration. Stated only by Nippon TV; TBS described increased pressure from Russia and the Trump administration.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Jiji Press reports Akane's statement on Pillay's Nobel Peace Prize (Oct 9). [ 1 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun carries the Kyodo report of Akane's congratulations (Oct 9). [ 2 ]
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun runs the same report (Oct 9). [ 3 ]
- TBS reports the statement, noting pressure on the ICC from Russia and the Trump administration (Oct 9). [ 4 ]
- Nippon TV reports the statement along with the Nobel committee's and Pillay's remarks (Oct 10). [ 5 ]