South African lawyer Navi Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for human rights work

South African lawyer and human rights champion Navi Pillay won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on October 9, 2026, for her work against war crimes and crimes against humanity. The award was presented at Nuremberg's historic Courtroom 600, site of the Nazi trials after WWII.

Pillay, who headed the Rwanda genocide tribunal and presided over a UN commission that accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, received praise from global leaders including UN Secretary-General Guterres, South African President Ramaphosa, and EU Chief von der Leyen. However, US President Trump called the choice 'disgraceful,' and Israel's foreign ministry condemned it as 'weaponising' the prize to legitimize anti-Israel hatred.

Upon learning of her win, Pillay joked about Trump's long-standing desire for the prize: 'If you clap a little bit more I may share this prize with Trump.' This award highlights ongoing global debates about international justice and accountability that resonate with Nigeria's own struggles for justice and human rights.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/10/10/s-african-judge-pillay-wins-nobel-peace-prize/