Former United Nations human rights chief and International Court of Justice judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The 85-year-old South African jurist, who was born into a family of Indian Tamil origin in Durban, was honored for her tireless contributions to promoting peace and upholding international law.
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, pointed out that a consistent thread connects her early career defending Nelson Mandela and other activists against apartheid to her tenure as a judge in pivotal international court cases. The committee emphasized that at a time when global conflicts are escalating and international legal institutions face intense political pressure, the prize serves as a reminder that resolving disputes peacefully relies entirely on the international rule of law.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee underscored that an international legal framework capable of holding war criminals accountable and securing justice for abuse victims remains an essential precondition for a peaceful world. Operating out of Oslo, the committee considered 287 candidates nominated for this year's award, with roughly a quarter of those submissions representing various organizations.
Nominations for the prestigious award can be submitted by a designated group of individuals and entities, which includes national politicians, heads of state, university professors, foreign policy institute directors, previous laureates, and members of the Nobel committee itself. The announcement follows the reveal of several other Nobel prizes earlier in the week, covering advancements in medicine, physics, and chemistry.