France, Oct. 14 -- Pillay, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, began her career defending anti-apartheid activists in South Africa before going on to head the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, a watershed moment in the fight for accountability for genocide.

Having also held positions at the United Nations, the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, she is a forceful advocate for the power and responsibility of international institutions to deliver justice - at a time when they have come under frequent attack from political leaders.

Pillay chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which last year concluded that genocide was oc...