The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded Friday to the South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay.

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay for her lifelong commitment to international law and human rights. Pillay, 85, rose to prominence defending Nelson Mandela during apartheid before serving as a judge for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court (ICC), and as the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. Most recently, she chaired a U.N. commission that accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. The Nobel Committee framed the award as a defense of the global rule of law at a time when international institutions face increasing political pressure. The announcement coincided with the Trump administration’s decision to impose fresh sanctions on the ICC, which U.S. officials labeled a 'rogue court.'

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay for her lifelong commitment to international law and human rights. Pillay, 85, rose to prominence defending Nelson Mandela during apartheid before serving as a judge for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court (ICC), and as the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. Most recently, she chaired a U.N. commission that accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. The Nobel Committee framed the award as a defense of the global rule of law at a time when international institutions face increasing political pressure. The announcement coincided with the Trump administration’s decision to impose fresh sanctions on the ICC, which U.S. officials labeled a 'rogue court.'