South African jurist Navi Pillay wins the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, South African jurist Navi Pillay in 2013, when she was United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Author, Author's title, BBC News MundoPublication date 9 October 2026, 09:09 GMTUpdated 3 minutes agoReading time: 2 minNavi Pillay, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize this Friday. The Norwegian Nobel Committee said Pillay received the prize "for her efforts to promote peace and international law.""There is a common thread running from her early work in defense of Nelson Mandela and others who opposed apartheid to her work as a judge in some of the key international legal cases of our time," said Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Frydnes said Pillay has held states and their leaders accountable, and has given hope to victims. He warned that the international legal system is under enormous pressure and pointed to a shift in what he described as "power politics." "When force prevails over reason, it undermines stability," he added. Frydnes described Pillay's commitment to justice and human dignity as a source of hope and inspiration for those seeking to build a more peaceful world. Pillay was United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights between 2008 and 2014. Skip Most read and continue readingMost readEnd of Most readThe prize is worth 12 million Swedish kronor (approximately US$1.3 million). The Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony is scheduled for December 10 in Oslo, Norway, the anniversary of the death of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, founder of the awards. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado received the prize in 2025 for her struggle to achieve a democratic transition in Venezuela. This is a breaking news story. More information coming soon. Download the new BBC World Service app. Choose BBC News Mundo and receive news alerts, documentaries and analysis, all in one place. Important: the new app is not available in the UK or the United States. You can also follow us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X and on our WhatsApp channel. And don't forget to subscribe here to our newsletter to receive a special selection of our best content every Friday. Discover moreSkip Video and continueVideoEnd of VideoRelated content