South African jurist Navanethem "Navi" Pillay receives Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize was presented on Friday to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, an 85-year-old South African jurist known for defending international legal institutions. Pillay’s career includes representing Nelson Mandela, opposing apartheid, serving on tribunals addressing the crises in Rwanda, Myanmar and the Palestinian territories, and holding the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said the award highlights a global shift toward power politics that threatens legal frameworks and respect for justice. He added that Pillay “has held states and national leaders accountable and brought hope to victims of violence and conflict,” and that her work underscores the need to “support, fortify and expand the global rule of law.”

Pillay was not among the pre-announcement favorites, which had included figures such as Yulia Navalnaya, Vanessa Nakate and Mykola Kuleba. U.S. President Donald Trump, who was reportedly nominated by several countries, said he did not expect to win.

The award comes as the Nobel Committee seeks to draw attention to the importance of legal norms in a world where “might overtakes right.”