South African jurist Navanethem Pillay has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her longstanding work to promote peace and international law. The former United Nations rights chief has built a distinguished career in global justice, which includes serving as a defense lawyer for Nelson Mandela.
During her tenure in international bodies, Pillay also chaired the United Nations inquiry that concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza. The recognition highlights her decades-long commitment to human rights advocacy and accountability on the world stage.