South African jurist of Indian origin Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize

PTI, Oct 9, 2026, Oslo: South African jurist of Indian origin Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a former UN human rights chief whose work helped shape international law on genocide and sexual violence, won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her efforts to promote peace and international law. She is also serving as a judge in a case at the International Court of Justice in which The Gambia has accused Myanmar of violating the Genocide Convention.

Born in Durban on September 23, 1941, to Indian parents of Tamil descent, Pillay grew up under apartheid and went on to build a career challenging racial discrimination, defending anti-apartheid activists and advancing human rights and equality.

In September 2025, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, chaired by Pillay, concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces had committed and were continuing to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

The commission found that four of the five acts listed under the Genocide Convention had been committed and concluded that they were accompanied by the specific intent required to establish genocide. It also concluded that Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had incited genocide. Israel rejected the report's findings.

The commission called on Israel to immediately end the genocide and investigate and punish those responsible. It urged all UN member states to use all means reasonably available to prevent genocide and cease transfers to Israel or third states of arms, equipment or other items, including jet fuel, where there was reason to suspect their use in military operations that had involved or could involve genocide.

The commission was established by the UN Human Rights Council. Its findings were those of an investigative body, not a final ruling by an international court. Pillay studied at the University of Natal and later earned postgraduate law degrees from Harvard University. In 1967,she became the first woman of colour to establish a law practice in South Africa's Natal Province,according to the Institute for African Women in Law.