The Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa warmly welcomes the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Judge Navanethem Pillay. Judge Pillay has been a pioneer in the promotion and protection of human rights both nationally and internationally. Her lifelong commitment to justice, accountability and the rule of law is unparalleled. She has fought against apartheid, defended activists, while exposing torture she helped to secure key rights for prisoners on Robben Island.

As a member of the Women’s National Coalition, she contributed to the inclusion of the equality clause in our Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on any ground including race, gender, religion and sexual orientation. Internationally, her work includes serving as a judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, where she played a critical role in the groundbreaking jurisprudence on rape as genocide, as well as on issues of freedom of speech and hate propaganda. She has also served as a judge of the International Criminal Court and later as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Her latest accomplishment is the work she did as the chair of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which found Israel responsible for genocide in Gaza. Additionally, she currently serves as an ad hoc Judge at the International Court of Justice.

Her unwavering independence, exceptional courage and integrity have contributed towards a more comprehensive international legal order at a time that it is under increasing attack.

“We congratulate Justice Pillay and wish her well as she continues to participate in various platforms to secure the rights and dignity of all people.”

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084