South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in Oslo, Norway, reports said. Pillay, 85, was recognized for work related to peace and international law, according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
Committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes said Pillay’s work was “a source of hope and inspiration to all those who seek to bring about a more peaceful world.” The New York Post and Al Jazeera described Pillay as a judge on the International Court of Justice, while the Washington Post described her as an International Criminal Court judge. The Washington Post said she was recognized for work to ensure prosecutions of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Frydnes said the committee had not yet been able to reach Pillay.