UN Human Rights Office congratulates Navi Pillay on Nobel Peace Prize

The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office has congratulated its former High Commissioner Navi Pillay on winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Video posted on X earlier showed a stunned Pillay arriving at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice in Germany, joking that she was still trying to verify the information.

Reacting to the news, UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Shabia Mantoo welcomed the announcement and congratulated Pillay.

“We are elated to hear the news that Navi Pillay has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

She’s been a staunch defender and advocate of human rights and it’s more important in this day and age to see that accolade being awarded for those who are speaking out on violations and committing to the defence of human rights of all people around the world.

So, we are absolutely elated by this news and we wish her all the best.

On behalf of the UN Human Rights Office and all the staff and the colleagues and those who she’s worked with.

So very happy to hear this news today.

And congratulations to all of those as well who work and for the cause of human rights and really, defending people against human rights violations and for speaking out and for protecting the human rights that are also important to us.” Judge Navi Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize: Meanwhile, Pillay’s reacted to the news of winning the Nobel Peace Prize after arriving in Germany where she serves as the President of the Advisory Council of the International Nuremberg Principles Academy.

“I think it’s very appropriate that I’m with friends and colleagues, all of whom support human rights.

The last thing I did is the delivery of the report on Gaza, naming what’s happening there as genocide.

So, one of the main reactions to that report is paying tribute to me for my courage and you can imagine how surprised I was.

Why would you need courage to speak the truth.”