Oslo, Oct 9, 2026 19:38 IST
South African jurist and former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay's Nobel Peace Prize win on Friday was welcomed by human rights advocates and supporters of international justice, while Israel and its supporters reacted with disappointment. Pillay, 85, is currently serving as an ad hoc judge at the UN's International Court of Justice.
The award also brought renewed attention to her work over several decades, including investigations into crimes in Rwanda, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, and her role as a lawyer who helped defend Nelson Mandela. The announcement drew strong reactions from the UN, South African leaders, rights groups, academics and Israeli officials.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that, in its citation, the Nobel Committee reminded the world that peace must be built on lasting principles rather than the will of the powerful. He added that the prize serves as a tribute to everyone working to uphold international law, human rights, and human dignity.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that Justice Pillay's recognition allows the nation to celebrate her progressive contributions toward strengthening peace and upholding human dignity both locally and globally. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk echoed those sentiments, noting that the award is particularly poignant at a time when human rights face attacks from powerful entities.
Philippe Bolopion, executive director of Human Rights Watch, highlighted Pillay's profound influence in South Africa, Rwanda, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, calling her a stalwart proponent of the international rule of law. Conversely, Israel's foreign ministry sharply criticized the decision, issuing a statement claiming the award weaponizes justice to legitimize anti-Israel sentiment.
Norwegian Nobel Committee chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes noted during the announcement that Pillay was born into a family of Indian Tamil origin under apartheid in Durban, South Africa, and evolved into a legal pioneer who confronted deep structural discrimination. Academic and Palestinian Authority representatives also praised the honor as a vital signal of support for international law and victims of systemic injustice.