A life in context
The person behind the prize
Pillay grew up under apartheid, became a lawyer and established a practice in Durban in 1967. She earned a Harvard doctorate in 1988. Her career later included service in South Africa’s High Court, international criminal courts and the United Nations.
The contribution
The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognised her work to strengthen international law and accountability for grave crimes, connecting the protection of rights with peaceful conflict resolution.
The idea in plain language
International justice asks whether people responsible for grave crimes can be held accountable under common rules. Pillay’s work spans legal defence under apartheid and service in international institutions.
Read the full award story ↗
