14/10/2026
IAIS Malaysia Congratulates Navanethem “Navi” Pillay on Receiving the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize
The International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia joins all peace-loving peoples of the world in extending our heartiest congratulations to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay on being awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. This well-deserved recognition honours her lifelong dedication to human dignity, international law and accountability, particularly her courageous defence of Palestinian rights.
A distinguished South African human rights jurist, Navi Pillay has spent her lifetime fiercely and unapologetically fighting against systemic human rights violations, apartheid, and genocide. Her legendary legal career spans defending anti-apartheid activists during the era of Nelson Mandela, serving on the inaugural bench of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)—where she established landmark legal precedents classifying sexual violence as an instrument of genocide—and serving as a judge on the International Criminal Court (ICC). As chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, she led investigations that concluded Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Her work has brought international attention to Palestinian suffering and reinforced the demand that those responsible be held accountable.
The Nobel Committee’s recognition of Pillay is a profound vote of confidence in international law and human dignity. Historically, the Peace Prize has often overlooked women from the Global South; hence, honouring a South African woman of Indian Tamil descent who has consistently spoken truth to power marks a pivotal milestone for global equity and institutional representation.
True to her principle of unyielding accountability, Pillay explicitly condemned decades of systemic oppression and unlawful annexation across the Occupied West Bank and Occupied East Jerusalem, alongside the Commission’s findings that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. Despite facing intense geopolitical backlash and criticism particularly from the genocidal, pariah regime of Israel, she remains steadfast in her judicial integrity, remarking:
“The last thing I did is the delivery of the report on Gaza, naming what’s happening there as genocide.”
Furthermore, her current presence as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) underscores her enduring commitment to safeguarding the international rule of law. The Nobel Committee’s recognition of her life’s work—spanning Rwanda, Myanmar, and Palestine—serves as a vital reminder that true peace cannot exist without justice. Lasting peace requires justice, and international law must apply equally to all. The protection of life, the defence of human dignity and the pursuit of justice are also fundamental Islamic values that underpin our commitment to the Palestinian cause.
IAIS Malaysia hopes this momentous award will inspire future generations of legal scholars and global leaders to uphold international law without fear or favour.
Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi
CEO, IAIS Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, 12 October 2026
