OSLO, Norway (AP) – Navanethem "Navi" Pillay, the former U.N. human rights chief and a judge on the International Court of Justice, has been awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in Oslo. Born in South Africa, Pillay is 85 years old and has received this honor for her significant contributions to the promotion of peace and international law, as stated by Jørgen Watne Frydnes, the Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

Pillay's impactful work has been described as a source of hope and inspiration for those striving to create a more peaceful world. The Norwegian Nobel Committee highlighted the importance of her efforts during a time characterized by increasing wars and political attacks on international legal institutions. Frydnes emphasized that the Nobel Committee seeks to remind the world of the necessity of resolving conflicts calmly, without resorting to violence, which hinges on the establishment of the international rule of law.

The committee's announcement further clarified that an effective international legal framework, where war criminals are held accountable and victims of human rights abuses receive justice, is essential for achieving a lasting peace. This year, the Nobel Committee received nominations for 287 candidates, of which more than a quarter were organizations. It is noted by experts that the committee often focuses on the sustainability of peace initiatives and the promotion of international fraternity, alongside recognizing the quiet yet impactful work of institutions dedicated to these goals.

In the previous year, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless efforts to push for a democratic transition in her country, which was described as keeping the "flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness." Machado even presented her Nobel medal to former U.S. President Donald Trump shortly after the U.S. government ousted then-President Nicolás Maduro, although the Nobel Committee has made it clear that the award cannot be transferred.

Nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize can be made by a select group of individuals and organizations, including heads of state, university professors, directors of foreign policy institutes, past Nobel laureates, and members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. This year, the Nobel Committee has also announced earlier recipients for other categories. The Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to three scientists whose innovative work has shed light on brain functions, while the Physics award recognized a scientist who made strides in understanding a rare group of neutrinos. The Chemistry prize honored two scientists for their work in unraveling complex mirror images in molecules, which has wide applications in drug development.

Additonally, Canadian poet, essayist, and translator Anne Carson received the literature prize for her "bold and inventive" works that blend classical and modern elements, pushing the boundaries between poetry and prose. The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences is set to be announced on the following Monday.

This year’s Nobel Peace Prize holds special significance as 2023 marks its 125th anniversary. Since its establishment in 1901, the peace prize has been awarded to 112 individuals and 28 organizations. Among the notable awardees, the Red Cross has secured the prize three times, and the UN refugee agency has received it twice. However, the prize has gone unawarded on 19 occasions, particularly during the world wars. Notably, in 1948, the award was not given out during the year that Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated; Gandhi had been nominated twelve times without ever winning. In 1939, a Swedish parliament member nominated Adolf Hitler but subsequently withdrew the nomination, clarifying it was never intended to be taken seriously.

Dazio reported from Berlin, while Lewis contributed from Stavanger, Norway.

For further information on the Nobel Prizes, visit the official Nobel Prizes hub.