Navanethem (Navi) Pillay, LL.M., Ph.D. Closed Now

Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, LL.M., Ph.D., is a South African jurist and human rights defender who has profoundly shaped international criminal justice and transitional justice worldwide. Born of Tamil descent in apartheid South Africa, Pillay broke barriers as the first non-white woman to start a law practice in Natal Province, dedicating her early career to defending anti-apartheid activists.

Her global influence began when she was appointed as a Judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) from 1995 to 2003, where she presided over groundbreaking cases, including the Akayesu judgment, the first international ruling to recognize rape as an act of genocide. She later served as a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC), further advancing jurisprudence on accountability for mass atrocities.

From 2008 to 2014, Pillay served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the highest UN post dedicated to human rights protection. In this capacity, she advocated for transitional justice as a core element of peacebuilding, stressing the importance of truth, reparations, and institutional reform alongside criminal accountability. She spoke out forcefully on crises in Sri Lanka, Syria, Central African Republic, and South Sudan, often challenging both state and international actors to uphold justice and victims’ rights.

Throughout her career, Pillay has been a vocal advocate for gender justice, indigenous rights, and the fight against racism. She played a crucial role in advancing the recognition of sexual and gender-based violence in international law, as well as strengthening victims’ participation in justice processes.

Today, she continues to contribute to global transitional justice initiatives, including serving as a member of UN investigative bodies and advisory groups on accountability.

Navi Pillay’s journey from apartheid South Africa to the pinnacle of international human rights demonstrates the transformative power of justice and the centrality of transitional justice in confronting both past and ongoing atrocities