South African judge and human rights champion Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday (October 9, 2026) in recognition of her work against war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Pillay, currently a judge on the International Court of Justice in a case where Myanmar also stands accused of genocide, has been “instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide are prosecuted,” said Jorgen Watne Frydnes, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo.

Nobel Prize 2026: An Interactive Guide

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.

Here is a brief timeline on her career:

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