Lawyer Navi Pillay receives Nobel Peace Prize

10.10.2026 06:25 HotInfo

South African lawyer Navanethem "Navi" Pillay received the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee honored her for her long-standing efforts to protect human rights, promote international law and develop the international legal order. Tagesspiegel ↗

Pillay served as a judge at the International Criminal Court and from 2008 to 2014 held the position of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. She also worked at several international tribunals. The Committee highlighted her courage and integrity in the fight against war crimes and human rights violations. kultura.pravda.sk ↗

The award prompted a reaction from US President Donald Trump, who said he had expected to win the prize himself. He criticized Norway and stated that the United States would not forget the snub. Trump also claimed that he had resolved eight wars and deserved a Nobel Prize for each of them. ANSA ↗

The US administration subsequently imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court. This happened just a few hours after the award was announced, since Pillay had previously served as a judge at this institution. The Court condemned the move. RTE News ↗

At the ceremony, Pillay also joked that if the audience applauded louder, she might share the prize with Trump. The prize was presented to her on October 9 by the chairman of the Nobel Committee, Jørgen Watne Frydnes. In doing so, the Committee underscored the importance of international law and institutions in protecting human rights. ANSA ↗