The awarding of the Peace Prize to Navi Pillay is the most political award in many decades. It is a slap in the face for both Israel and Trump’s USA. It will not go unnoticed. If the Nobel Committee wanted to achieve Herostratic fame, they have succeeded.
Trump was on the shortlist. Those of us living in Norway know that this was virtually impossible. Yet instead, the Nobel Committee has gone in the opposite direction. This award was a point of defiance. One can hardly help but wonder how this can be the same committee that last year awarded the prize to Michado.
They completely overlook the fact that Pillay follows in the tradition of equating Zionism with racism and, now after 7 October, is praising Hamas.
– The jury’s statement says that the laureate is one of the most respected international law experts of our time. ‘This is a highly topical prize at a time when the international legal order is under serious pressure,’ says Støre in a press release.
This year, the Nobel Committee has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay, who has previously served, amongst other roles, as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Støre hopes that the prize will help to strengthen the fight to uphold international law and protect human rights.
“Throughout her long life, Pillay has been a clear voice for justice and peace, including in Palestine, in the fight against apartheid in South Africa and during the legal proceedings following the genocide in Rwanda,” says Støre.
He also emphasises that the prize is independent of the Norwegian Government.
– On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I would like to congratulate Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay on winning the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee notes that the laureate has contributed to the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide,” says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
As usual, Støre will kick Trump and Netanyahu in the shins by praising their opponents. Støre and Norway are now taking the genocide line.
The Nobeliana Association is at least honest.
Pillay has been awarded the prize for her fight for peace and human rights. Among other things, she has led the UN’s independent international commission of inquiry into the occupied Palestinian territories, which concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Nobeliana has long advocated that international law must be upheld in the awarding of the Peace Prize, says historian Øivind Stenersen. He heads the association, which disseminates knowledge about the Nobel Peace Prize.
“And it’s finally happened. At last! We’re very pleased,” Stenersen tells NTB.
He believes the prize will provoke strong reactions.
– There’s going to be a bit of a row in the aftermath; it’ll be interesting to hear what Washington has to say. “Great! Now we’ll have a debate on an important issue,” says Stenersen.
– To what extent is this a dig at Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu in particular?
– It’s a broadside against both of them. That’s just how it is, he replies.
PRIO sees it as a prize for the rules-based world order as they themselves define it.
Haakon Gjerløw, acting director of the Peace Research Institute, is very pleased that Navi Pillay is to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, but adds that there will be reactions from several countries that do not agree with the decision.
Gjerløw of the Peace Research Institute (PRIO) is unsure who will be most provoked by the Nobel Committee’s choice, but mentions the heads of state in the US, Israel and Russia.
“Navi Pillay is a worthy recipient and a very courageous woman who has taken a stand on many issues. When you operate in that environment, it is impossible not to make enemies. So we can expect reactions from several quarters,’ Gjerløw told NTB.
He is delighted and proud on behalf of the Nobel Committee following the choice it has made.
“Pillay ticks several boxes; she works for a rules-based world order, but also on issues such as apartheid, women’s rights and war crimes in Gaza,” he told NTB.
Prio believes the award underscores the need for a stable and rule-based world order to promote peace, and places accountability at the heart of peace processes. The institute has on several occasions included the International Criminal Court (ICC) on its shortlist, including this year. The prize winner served as a judge at the ICC from 2003 to 2008.
Gjerløw is therefore not surprised by the choice of theme, but says it is always difficult to predict which individual might be selected from among the candidates.
– At a time when these legal frameworks are under increasing pressure, the prize sends a clear signal that peace depends not only on political leadership, but also on strong, credible international institutions and the courageous people who devote their lives to defending them,’ he says.
If anyone was in any doubt as to where Ursula von der Leyen stands:
Few have dedicated their lives to justice, peace and human dignity as Navi Pillay has, says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The South African lawyer, who has a background in several international commissions of inquiry and courts, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her work for peace and human rights.
Among other things, Pillay has headed the UN’s independent international commission of inquiry into the occupied Palestinian territories, which concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
– From the violence of apartheid in South Africa to the atrocities of the genocide in Rwanda, she has confronted some of humanity’s darkest chapters. She has looked the brutality of injustice straight in the eye and never looked away, writes von der Leyen on X.
– ‘She is the defender of the persecuted, the vulnerable and the excluded,’ it continues.
The Nobel Committee is becoming a historical anachronism. The chair, Frydnes, believes it is courageous when the committee goes with the flow.
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Nobel Committee, announced the award at 11 am on Friday. The Nobel Committee had not been able to contact the laureate prior to the announcement.
The 85-year-old is being awarded the prize for her efforts towards peace and international legal principles.
Watne Frydnes describes her as a person who, with exceptional courage and integrity, has led the way in the development of a global legal order.
“This year’s Peace Prize laureate has helped ensure that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted,” he says. (NTB)
