The European Society of International Law extends its warmest congratulations to Navi Pillay, winner of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

2026 Nobel Peace Prize

Photo: © Jiri Buller
Navi Pillay – Photo gallery. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach 2026.
Thu. 15 Oct 2026.
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2026/pillay/photo-gallery/

The European Society of International Law (ESIL) warmly congratulates Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, who has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

From challenging apartheid in South Africa to advancing accountability for the gravest international crimes, Navi Pillay has devoted her career to defending human rights, strengthening international justice and upholding the rule of law.

As a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court, and later as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, she has played a pivotal role in shaping international law and its institutions.

At a time when international law and its institutions face profound challenges, this recognition carries particular significance. It is a reminder that international law is an essential foundation for peace, justice, accountability and human dignity.

For the international legal community, this Nobel Peace Prize is both a celebration of an extraordinary career and a renewed affirmation of the importance of defending and strengthening the international legal order.

ESIL extends its warmest congratulations to Navi Pillay on this remarkable and well-deserved honour.