The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Navi Pillay, reacted with humor after learning of her award, joking that she could share the prize with US President Donald Trump. “If you clap a little louder, maybe I’ll share the prize with Trump,” Pillay said, speaking at an international law symposium in Nuremberg, Germany. She was greeted with applause from the attendees after the news of the award was announced. “But as a lawyer and a judge, I have to confirm that this is indeed true,” she added with a laugh.
Her reaction was filmed by Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard, who posted the video on the social network X. In her response, Pillay also recalled her recent work in the field of human rights, referring to the report on the situation in the Gaza Strip. “The last thing I did was present the report on Gaza, in which I described what is happening there as genocide,” she said.
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 excited!
This is her first reaction upon hearing the news: https://t.co/Crbj6XdiyQ
— Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) October 9, 2026
The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Pillay for her contribution to strengthening international law and efforts to ensure that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are investigated and prosecuted. According to the Committee, she has shown extraordinary courage and integrity in defending justice and human rights, at a time when conflicts and wars are testing international institutions.
Who is Navi Pillay?
Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, 85, is a South African lawyer and one of the leading figures in international justice. She served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014. Pillay was also a judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court. In South Africa, she became the first black woman to serve as a judge on the country’s High Court.
She began her career during the apartheid era, when she defended activists against the racist regime and worked to protect the rights of political prisoners. In 2025, the independent UN commission she chaired published a report accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Israel has disputed these conclusions. The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded to Pillay at a ceremony in Oslo on December 10.
