Pakistan, Oct. 20 -- In the backdrop of excesses being committed by hegemons on international law and institutions responsible for its implementation, the Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee, on 9 October 2026, awarded the Peace Prize to South African jurist Navanethem "Navi" Pillay. The award is in recognition of her efforts to promote peace and international law, ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted with resolve and vigour.

This recognition is in fact of an illustrious legal career that spans her role as a practising lawyer and then a judge. This piece is written with a view to highlight what she did differently, in both these roles, to take a lead for others to follow. In my view, surprisingly, she...