Former United Nations human rights chief Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, who served as a judge on the International Court of Justice and led a UN commission that accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, has won the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway.

Pillay, 85, who was born in South Africa, is being honored for her work advancing peace and international law, according to Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

“At a time when the number of wars and conflicts is rising, and when judges and institutions of international law are under political attack, the Nobel Committee wishes to issue a reminder that the ability to resolve conflicts without force or violence is dependent on the international rule of law,” the committee states in its announcement.

“An international legal system in which war criminals are held to account and the victims of abuse see justice served is a precondition for a peaceful world.”

Pillay served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 through 2014, a period during which she repeatedly criticized Israeli policies and military actions.

In 2014, more than 100 members of the US Congress signed a letter criticizing Pillay over what they described as anti-Israel bias at the UN Human Rights Council during her tenure. The lawmakers argued that the council “simply cannot be taken seriously as a human rights organization” while investigating Israel but not Hamas.

Pillay later chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry examining the Palestinian territories. In 2025, the commission accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza, alleging an effort to “destroy the Palestinians.”

Israel has firmly rejected allegations that its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza constitutes genocide.

At the time, Pillay stated, “It is that there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention.”

Attempts to contact Pillay by telephone following the Nobel announcement were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

The Nobel Peace Prize is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in the world.