He Nobel Peace Prize 2026 was awarded to Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay for their efforts to promote peace and international law, According to the announcement attributed to the Norwegian Nobel Committee this Friday, October 9.
Pillay is a South African jurist who held the position of high commissioner of the United Nations for Human Rights between 2008 and 2014.
Throughout her career, she was also a judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Courtwhere he participated in processes related to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The recognition highlights his contribution to strengthening justice and defending the rule of law.
‘Navi’ Pillay, South African jurist, receives the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. Photo:X @NobelPrize
‘Navi’ Pillay’s career in international justice
Born in South Africa in 1941‘Navi’ Pillay developed his career in the legal field. According to the biography published by the International Criminal Court (ICC)in 1967 she became the first woman to open a law firm in the province of Natal and the first black woman in serving as a judge of the High Court of South Africa.
In 1995, she was elected by the United Nations General Assembly as judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwandacreated to judge those responsible for the crimes committed during the 1994 genocide. Pillay served for eight years and presided over that instance between 1999 and 2003.
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Later, in 2003, she was appointed judge of the International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, Netherlands. His career has been linked to the international criminal law, international humanitarian law and the protection of fundamental guaranteesincluding cases of sexual violence in conflict contexts.
He July 28, 2008the United Nations General Assembly approved his appointment as High Commissioner for Human Rights. Pillay took office on September 1 of that year and remained in office until 2014, according to United Nations records.
‘Navi’ Pillay was UN High Commissioner for Human Rights between 2008 and 2014 Photo:AFP
The Nobel Peace Prize selection process
For the 2026 editionthe Norwegian Nobel Committee received 287 applications: 208 corresponded to people and 79 to organizations. The figure was disclosed by the Norwegian Nobel Institute In a statement published on April 30 of this year.
According to official information, applications must be submitted before January 31 of each year. The committee may incorporate additional names in its first meeting after closing of the deadlinethat in 2026 it was celebrated on February 26.
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After reviewing the valid proposals, the committee members They prepare a list of the candidates they consider most relevant to the process.
To evaluate their merits, they consult international specialists and study research, publications and other documents related to the work of the postulates.
He Norwegian Nobel Institute also clarifies that the deliberations, evaluations and names of the candidates They remain under reserve for 50 years. For this reason, the lists that circulate before the announcement They do not constitute an official record of the nominated people and organizations.
The Nobel Peace Prize seeks to highlight relevant efforts to promote world peace. Photo:AFP
When will the prize be awarded?
Although the 2026 winner was announced this Friday October 9, the official ceremony of The Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony will be held on December 10 in Oslo, Norway.
The date coincides with the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, who established in his will the bases for the creation of the awards that bear his name. The award of peace It is the only one of the Nobel Prizes to be announced and awarded in Norway; the ceremonies of the other categories They are made in Sweden.
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According to institutional information published by NobelPrize.orgthe Nobel Peace Prize It has been granted 106 times since 1901. In some editions, the recognition has been shared between two or three people, or between people and organizations, in accordance with the rules of the prize.
With the distinction to ‘Navi’ Pillay, the Nobel Peace Prize winner focuses on the work of a jurist whose career It has been linked to international justice, criminal courts and the protection of human rights.
Andrés Felipe Bejarano Bejarano
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