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Navi Pillay Wins Nobel Peace Prize for Promoting International Law
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News18•09-10-2026, 15:15
Navi Pillay Wins Nobel Peace Prize for Promoting International Law
- •South African jurist of Indian origin Navi Pillay has won the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to promoting peace and international law.
- •Born in Durban in 1941, Pillay grew up under apartheid and dedicated her career to defending anti-apartheid activists and advancing human rights.
- •She made history in 1967 as the first woman to open a law practice in South Africa's Natal Province and later became the first Black woman judge on the country's High Court.
- •Pillay has also served in prominent international roles, including judge and president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, judge at the International Criminal Court, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Key Questions Answered
South African jurist of Indian origin Navanethem Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize for her extensive contributions to promoting peace and international law.
In 1967, Navi Pillay became the first woman to open a law practice in South Africa's Natal Province. She also made history as the first Black woman to serve as a judge on South Africa's High Court.
Navi Pillay served as a judge and president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, a judge at the International Criminal Court, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014.
