JUST IN: SA jurist and human rights lawyer Navi Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

Pillay was awarded the prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. South African jurist, human rights lawyer, and former United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has won the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee made the announcement on Friday, 9 October 2026. “The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the committee said. “A common thread runs from her early work defending Nelson Mandela and others who stood up against apartheid to her service as a judge in some of the key international court cases of our time,” the Nobel Committee said. *This is a developing story.