South African judge Navi Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 9 Oct, 15:44 · Archive

South African judge Navanethem Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay, an 85-year-old South African judge, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her 'efforts to promote peace and international law'. She is a former United Nations human rights chief and currently a judge at the International Court of Justice, where she is involved in a case against Myanmar over allegations of genocide against its Muslim Rohingya minority.

Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said a 'common thread' connected her early work defending Nelson Mandela and others who resisted apartheid to her recent service on major international court cases. He noted the committee had not yet been able to reach Ms Pillay to inform her of the award.

The prize was announced on 9 October in Oslo. Ms Pillay's win represents another rejection of Donald Trump's bid for the award. The US president had insisted he deserved it, telling reporters this week it would be a 'great discredit' to the committee if he were overlooked. Last year's prize went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who symbolically handed it to Trump as recognition of his 'unique commitment' to freedom after the US removed Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro from power.

How it is being reported

• Nobel Peace Prize 2026 - live: Pope Leo and Mark Carney among favourites to beat TrumpThe winner of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize will soon be announced, with more than 250 candidates nominatedThe Mirror · 9 Oct, 09:16
• Nobel Peace Prize 2026 - live: Pope Leo and Mark Carney among favourites to beat TrumpThe winner of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize will soon be announced, with more than 250 candidates nominatedThe Mirror · 9 Oct, 09:14
• Who could beat Trump to the Nobel Peace Prize this year?Trump had his eyes on the peace prize in 2025 but was beaten by Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Alex Croft looks at who could scoop the prestigious title for this yearIndependent World · 8 Oct, 16:54
• Nobel Peace Prize contenders who could beat Trump this year - from The Pope to Mark CarneyTrump had his eyes on the peace prize in 2025 but was beaten by Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Alex Croft looks at who could scoop the prestigious title for this yearIndependent World · 7 Oct, 12:08

In this story: Navanethem Pillay · Donald Trump · Nelson Mandela · Myanmar · South Africa · Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado · Nicolas Maduro · International Court of Justice

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