‘I thought it was a joke’: Navi Pillay reacts to Nobel Peace Prize win

South Africa-born jurist Navanethem Navi Pillay thought it was a joke when she was told she had won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

Pillay was speaking among friends and colleagues at the Nuremberg court in Bavaria, Germany, on Friday. Pillay said she wanted to verify the news before believing it was true.

“They called me out now to tell me, and I said, ‘It must be a joke’,” she said.

After being told the news was being reported by media outlets, Pillay said she still wanted to make sure it was true.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday that she had won the prize for her work promoting peace and international law, including efforts to ensure those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted.

Pillay said public support was important when receiving such recognition.

“You don’t want to receive an award prize or anything unless the public agrees that you deserve this,” she said.

Her reaction comes after years of work in international law and human rights, including her recent involvement in a report on Gaza that described the situation there as genocide.

Amazing moment. Navi Pillay has received the Nobel Peace Prize ! https://t.co/HL3r1PJzLO We are at the Nuremberg Court; I cannot think of a stronger symbol for her Nobel prize. We are all so thrilled! This is her first reactions upon hearing the news: pic.twitter.com/Crbj6XdiyQ

Pillay said one of the main reactions to the report had been praise for her courage. She questioned why courage should be necessary when legal professionals are doing their jobs.

“Why would you need courage to speak the truth? You interpret the law, you look at all the facts, so it’s an impartial decision-making,” she said.

Pillay remains involved in international legal work. She is an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice in the case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar over allegations of genocide against the Rohingya.

She said people often asked her when she would stop working, but her commitment to human rights remained strong.

Pillay also spoke about her continued support for the Nuremberg Principles Academy, which promotes international criminal law and the principles underpinning accountability for serious crimes.