CNN - Nobel Peace Prize goes to South African human rights pioneer Navi Pillay Updated 11:40 AM EDT, Fri October 9, 2026

 

Nobel Peace Prize goes 

to South African human 

rights pioneer Navi Pillay

Updated 11:40 AM EDT, Fri October 69, 2026

"A commitment to justice and human dignity": South African judge Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize

2:55

What we covered

• The Nobel Peace Prize went to human rights pioneer Navi Pillay. The South African was integral to the anti-apartheid movement, served as a judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and recently led the UN commission that concluded Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

• The Nobel committee said Pillay “held states and national leaders accountable and brought hope to the victims of violence and conflict.” Pillay was at an event at the courts that hosted the Nuremberg Trials 80 years ago when she learned of her win, and asked, “is it true?” when she heard the news.

• In an impromptu speech acknowledging the accolade, Pillay said she initially thought “it must be a joke.” Later, she spoke of her “deep honor” and dedicated the prize to “all of the survivors of international crimes.”

Updates

(35)

1 hr 45 min ago