Following the announcement of her 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for advancing international law and human rights, 85-year-old South African jurist Navanethem "Navi" Pillay expressed initial disbelief before reacting with humor and sharp reflection.
Pillay was attending an international legal gathering at the historic Nuremberg Courtroom when the Norwegian Nobel Committee attempted to call her directly. Having missed the initial phone call, she learned of the decision through colleagues and immediately questioned whether the news was genuine.
"As a lawyer and a judge, I still want to verify the facts," she quipped, prompting colleagues to point out that BBC News was already broadcasting the official announcement live. In a candid video captured by Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard, Pillay joked that if the accolades kept coming, she might have to "share the prize with US President Donald Trump," drawing laughter from attendees. Reflecting on her UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry report on Gaza, which documented acts of genocide, Pillay questioned why stating facts requires bravery: "Many praised my courage after the report was published, but I was surprised. Why should anyone need courage just to tell the truth?"
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by International Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
