The world’s most prestigious 125th Nobel Peace Prize has been announced. This highest honour for the year 2026 has been conferred upon South Africa’s eminent jurist and human rights activist Navanethem Navi Pillay. The Norwegian Nobel Committee made this historic announcement on Friday in recognition of her lifelong contribution to the protection of international law and the establishment of peace worldwide.
The 85-year-old Indian-origin Tamil jurist had served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Pillay has played a pioneering role in the legal fight against war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity across the world. Announcing the award, Nobel Committee Chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes said that wars and conflicts are increasing extensively in the present world, as a result of which the international legal system is facing immense pressure and threats. In such a critical time, only the law and the judicial system have protected the fine line between chaos and order.
It is noteworthy that Navanethem Navi Pillay, who waged an uncompromising struggle against apartheid, became the first woman to practice law in the Natal province of South Africa in 1967. Later, she advocated in court for many anti-apartheid leaders including Nelson Mandela. She was the first Black woman judge to serve in the High Court of South Africa.
During her tenure at the Rwanda Tribunal, the historic decision to consider rape and sexual abuse as genocide and crimes against humanity was made possible due to Pillay’s efforts. Moreover, as the head of the UN Independent Inquiry Commission on the occupied Palestinian territory, she showed courage by calling the destruction carried out by the Israeli government in Gaza as genocide. Currently, she is serving on the bench of the International Court of Justice in the trial related to the genocide committed against the Rohingya Muslims.
Pillay said she could not believe it at first when she heard the news of this highest honour. Reacting, she said, “As an advocate and a judge, I first wanted to verify whether it was true or a joke. What courage does it take to tell the truth?”
On the other hand, US President Donald Trump had to be deprived once again this time. Trump, who has long expressed a strong desire for the Nobel Peace Prize, has claimed many times that he is the true deserving recipient of this award. Especially amidst the ongoing war with Iran and the turbulent situation in the Middle East, Trump had been claiming the Nobel Peace Prize. Even after last year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, handed over her medal to Trump, he had projected himself as one of the contenders for this award. Making a sarcastic remark after the announcement of the award, Navi Pillay said, “If people clap a little more, then I can share this award with Trump as well.”
This honour will be formally conferred on Pillay at a grand ceremony to be held in Oslo on December 10, Alfred Nobel’s death anniversary. Along with the prestigious gold medal, she will receive 12 million Swedish Kronor (about 1.2 million US dollars) in cash. A total of 287 names were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this time. Surpassing all competitors, Navi Pillay, the flag bearer of universal human rights and justice, has been able to bring home this rare honour.
