New Delhi: Renowned South African jurist and human rights expert Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday. She was awarded the prestigious honor for her efforts to promote peace and international law.
Born into a Tamil family of Indian origin, Navi Pillay spoke out against discrimination during the apartheid era and later played a key role in the international justice system.
Navi Pillay’s life exemplifies that standing up to injustice requires not only courage but also a long struggle and a commitment to one’s principles. She began her career at a time when South Africa’s apartheid system deprived Black people of basic rights and equal opportunities. She sought to make the law a voice for those whose voices were unheard.
The journey began with the fight against apartheid
Navi Pillay was born on September 23, 1941, in Durban, South Africa. Her family was of Tamil descent. Growing up in apartheid South Africa, Pillay studied law and began practicing law in 1967. She became the first Black woman to establish her own independent legal practice in the Natal province.
