Jan Eliasson worked with Navi Pillay when she was the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and describes her as “very principled”.
She has fought many battles over the years, speaking out on sensitive topics that have led to angry reactions from those who have committed human rights abuses. She stands for integrity and courage.
"Bold by the committee"
The now 85-year-old top lawyer has held human rights violators and war criminals accountable for decades, including as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
"I think this was bold of the committee because there has been criticism of the International Criminal Court. But by giving it to her, you are giving it to a person rather than the court as such," Peter Wallensteen, professor emeritus of peace and conflict studies at Uppsala University, told TT.
At the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Association, Secretary General Karin Wall Härdfeldt says they had hoped the International Criminal Court would receive the prize.
The US is trying to undermine
She describes the choice of award winner as interesting.
The committee chairman has previously said that, of course, they want to base their decisions on the will, but also make relevant contributions to the times we live in. And it must be said that the committee is doing that with this choice, says Karin Wall Härdfeldt.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) welcomes Pillay receiving the prize.
This really emphasizes how important it is to hold those responsible for the most serious crimes under international law accountable, she says.
"Fearless"
Former Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström (S) knows Navi Pillay from her time as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Navi Pillay is a personal friend, and they are due to meet next week.
This is so fantastically fun and honorable and well-deserved for Navi, who is in every way such a highly qualified, experienced, courageous, fearless person who has worked throughout her career to ensure that international law is respected, says Margot Wallström.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulates Pillay on the award.
"She is the defender of the persecuted, the vulnerable, the voiceless and the outcast. In a world that needs justice more than ever, her courage and moral clarity are a precious compass," von der Leyen writes on X.
Born in 1941 in Durban, South Africa. Lawyer, judge and human rights advocate.
Played a key role as a lawyer during the apartheid regime, when she defended several opponents of apartheid and criticized the regime's interrogation methods.
She was a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) between 1995 and 2003 and served as the tribunal's president from 1999.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights between 2008 and 2014.
Was a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague between 2003 and 2008.
Particularly noted for her efforts to include rape and sexual crimes in the definitions of genocide and crimes against humanity, she concluded last year that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Earlier this year, she was awarded the Olof Palme Prize together with South African international law lawyer John Dugard.
Source: NTB
