Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The decision was met with criticism from former US President Donald Trump, who called the award a 'disgraceful and embarrassing decision' and claimed he had 'never heard' of the recipient.
Trump made the remarks during a rally in Syracuse, New York, and later on Truth Social, where he also referred to the Nobel committee as 'a handful of radical ideologues who are anti-democracy and enemies of civilization.' He added that the decision was 'an indelible stain on the country of Norway' and stated, 'We will not forget.'
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Pillay’s selection, citing her role in advancing a 'more comprehensive global legal order' and her instrumental work in prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The committee’s chair, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, highlighted her contributions during a ceremony in Nuremberg’s Palace of Justice. Pillay, 85, responded with humor, joking that if the audience applauded more, she might 'share this prize with Trump.'
Trump’s Statements and Claims
Trump has long expressed a desire to win a Nobel Peace Prize, even receiving one from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado last year after she won the award. At the Syracuse rally, he reiterated claims that he had 'settled eight wars' during his presidency and was 'about to settle or win two more' in Iran and Ukraine, though he provided no evidence for these assertions. He also accused the Nobel committee of bias, stating that the US should have received the prize instead.
In response to Pillay’s award, Trump questioned her recognition, calling her a 'mystery person' and a 'liberal person who works at the United Nations.' He added that he had 'never spoken to the United Nations' in resolving conflicts, asserting that the organization had been 'of no help.' His comments followed Pillay’s recognition for her decades-long work in international justice, including her tenure as a judge at the International Criminal Court and her advocacy for human rights.
Reactions and Broader Context
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre previously clarified to Trump that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the Norwegian government. The committee’s decision to honor Pillay aligns with its stated mission to recognize efforts that 'promote fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and the holding and promotion of peace congresses.'
Pillay’s selection has drawn international attention to her contributions, including her role in establishing the International Criminal Court and her advocacy for victims of human rights abuses. The Nobel Committee’s announcement emphasized her work in ensuring accountability for atrocities, framing her contributions as critical to 'a more just and peaceful world.'
Background on Navi Pillay
A South African jurist, Pillay served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014. Before that, she was a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court. Her career has been marked by efforts to address systemic injustices, including apartheid-era abuses in South Africa and ongoing conflicts in regions such as Sudan and Myanmar. The Nobel Committee’s recognition underscores her influence in shaping modern international law and human rights frameworks.