Mechanism congratulates Judge Pillay on receiving Nobel Peace Prize
The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) warmly congratulates Judge Navi Pillay on receiving the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. In her long and distinguished career, Judge Pillay served as Judge and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).
During her 8-year tenure (1995-2003) at the ICTR, Judge Pillay played a critical role in the early formation of the Tribunal and the interpretation and application of international criminal law. She was elected in 1995 as one of the Tribunal’s first six judges, and its only woman judge during its first four years. She served as the ICTR’s second President from 1999 to 2003, which coincided with a period of rapid expansion and increased productivity. Notably, she played an essential role as a judge in the conduct and completion of seven trial proceedings. In particular, her work as a member of the bench on the Jean-Paul Akayesu case established that rape and other forms of sexual violence could amount to genocidal conduct. She participated in the landmark conviction and sentencing of Jean Kambanda, the former Prime Minister of Rwanda, the first head of government held accountable for genocide and crimes against humanity. Judge Pillay also presided over the Ferdinand Nahimana et al. trial which held the Rwandan media, both radio and print, responsible for fomenting ethnic hatred, genocide, and other international crimes.
The Mechanism’s President, Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, praised Judge Pillay as a “trailblazer in international criminal justice, who broke barriers as a woman judge and President of the ICTR, helping to shape a legacy of courage, integrity, and principled leadership. Her contributions continue to inspire generations of jurists and reaffirm the vital role of justice in upholding human dignity and lasting peace”.
The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) warmly congratulates Judge Navi Pillay on receiving the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. In her long and distinguished career, Judge Pillay served as Judge and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).
During her 8-year tenure (1995-2003) at the ICTR, Judge Pillay played a critical role in the early formation of the Tribunal and the interpretation and application of international criminal law. She was elected in 1995 as one of the Tribunal’s first six judges, and its only woman judge during its first four years. She served as the ICTR’s second President from 1999 to 2003, which coincided with a period of rapid expansion and increased productivity. Notably, she played an essential role as a judge in the conduct and completion of seven trial proceedings. In particular, her work as a member of the bench on the Jean-Paul Akayesu case established that rape and other forms of sexual violence could amount to genocidal conduct. She participated in the landmark conviction and sentencing of Jean Kambanda, the former Prime Minister of Rwanda, the first head of government held accountable for genocide and crimes against humanity. Judge Pillay also presided over the Ferdinand Nahimana et al. trial which held the Rwandan media, both radio and print, responsible for fomenting ethnic hatred, genocide, and other international crimes.
The Mechanism’s President, Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, praised Judge Pillay as a “trailblazer in international criminal justice, who broke barriers as a woman judge and President of the ICTR, helping to shape a legacy of courage, integrity, and principled leadership. Her contributions continue to inspire generations of jurists and reaffirm the vital role of justice in upholding human dignity and lasting peace”.