OSLO, Oct. 9 -- South African human rights lawyer Navi Pillay, who challenged apartheid before helping establish rape as an act of genocide under international law, has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award today, recognising the 85-year-old former United Nations human rights chief for her decades of work defending fundamental rights and advancing international justice.

Pillay, whose full name is Navanethem Pillay, was honoured for her contributions to international law, justice and accountability for some of the world's gravest crimes.

Her career has taken her from defending anti-apartheid activists in South Africa to serving as a judge in international courts dealing with genocide, war crim...