10/09/2026
The World Jurist Association extends its warmest congratulations to Navi Pillay on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, a fitting tribute to a life dedicated to international justice and fundamental freedom.
Her path has been one of continuous historic milestones. Nominated by Nelson Mandela as the first black female judge of the High Court of South Africa, she later shaped international accountability as President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Judge of the International Criminal Court, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Recognizing her achievements, she received the WJA Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medal of Honor in 2023 at the World Law Foundation’s Rule of Law Digital Center. The award honored her role in establishing landmark legal precedents against gender-based violence as an international crime, as well as her lifelong defense of judicial independence and human rights.
Receiving the Nobel Peace Prize serves as a powerful testament to her enduring impact on global justice and human rights.