Navi Pillay
Born 1941 · Age 84
South African jurist, human-rights advocate and judge; first non-white woman judge of the High Court of South Africa; judge and President at the ICTR; judge at the ICC; UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2008–2014); long career defending anti-apartheid activists and advancing gender justice.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Clairwood, Durban
Navanethem Nadoo (later 'Navi' Pillay) born to Narrainsamy and Santhama Nadoo in a poor Tamil-Indian neighbourhood of Durban, Natal.
First encounter with law — testified after robbery
At age five she testified in court after being robbed of 5 pounds; an early introduction to courts and justice.
Won school recognition for essay on racial sentencing
Wrote an in-class essay on racial differences in sentences in South African courts; received accolades.
Bronze medal in Durban Chamber of Commerce essay contest
At 14 she submitted an essay promoting South African-made commerce and received a bronze medal.
Published essay on role of women—won book award
Published essay on women's role in instilling values; won an award of books from the Jewish Women's Union.
Impacted by Separate Universities Act; transferred, then returned
After the Separate Universities Act forced re-segregation, she transferred to University at Salisbury Island then successfully applied for an exemption to return to the University of Natal.
BA from University of Natal
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (University of Natal).
Married Paranjothee 'Gaby' Pillay
Married Gaby Pillay in January 1965; the couple later had two daughters.
LLB from University of Natal
Completed Bachelor of Law (LLB) at the University of Natal.
Completed articles with N.T. Naicker
Served two years as an articled clerk/attorney under criminal defence attorney N.T. (Narainsamy Thumbi) Naicker, participating in anti-apartheid defence work.
Opened first private law practice in Natal (first non-white woman)
Became one of three women admitted attorneys and the first non-white woman to open her own law practice in Natal Province.
First high-profile defence: Phyllis Naidoo case
Early in private practice she represented Phyllis Naidoo, charged under apartheid-related restrictions.
Represented husband and exposed police interrogation abuses
When her husband was detained under the Terrorism Act, she successfully sued to prevent unlawful interrogation methods; case exposed torture and solitary confinement practices.
Won Robben Island prisoners' right to legal counsel
Won State v Kader Hassim & others and State v Harry Gwala & others, securing legal access for political prisoners on Robben Island (including Nelson Mandela).
Became lecturer at University of KwaZulu-Natal
Took a lecturing post at (what is now) UKZN, contributing academically while maintaining legal activism.
Co-founded and ran Advice Desk for the Abused (approx.)
Co-founded the Advice Desk for the Abused and ran a shelter for victims of domestic violence (text does not give exact year; placed in her post-LLM era).
Applied to Harvard under Harvard–South Africa Scholarship
Applied for and participated in the Harvard–South Africa exchange scholarship program created by anti-apartheid activists.
LL.M. from Harvard Law School
Obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Harvard Law School (HLS records show LL.M. '82).
S.J.D. (Doctor of Juridical Science) from Harvard
Completed her doctoral thesis and received the S.J.D. from Harvard Law School — noted as the first South African to obtain an S.J.D. from Harvard.
Co-founded Equality Now (international women's rights group)
Co-founded the international women's rights organisation Equality Now with other activists, pushing for global gender equality protections.
Acting Judge, High Court of South Africa (first non-white woman)
Nominated and confirmed as an acting judge on the High Court of South Africa by President Nelson Mandela and the Judicial Service Commission — first non-white woman to serve on the court.
Elected Judge, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
Elected by the UN General Assembly to serve as a judge on the ICTR; served a total of eight years (1995–2003).
Akayesu judgment: rape recognized as genocide/crime against humanity
Participated in the landmark Akayesu ruling (ICTR) that established rape and sexual violence can constitute genocide and crimes against humanity.
Elected President of ICTR
Elected President (President Judge) of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda; served as President from 1999 to 2003.
Elected Judge, International Criminal Court (Appeals Chamber)
Assembly of States Parties elected her to the inaugural ICC bench; she served on the Appeals Division starting 11 March 2003 (six-year term elected March 2003).
Served on ICC Appeals chamber — Lubanga pre-trial/appeal phase
Sat on the Appeals Chamber during the pre-trial/appeal phases of The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo (child soldiers case) between 2006 and 2008.
Nominated as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon nominated Pillay to succeed Louise Arbour as High Commissioner for Human Rights.
UN General Assembly confirms appointment by consensus
The UN General Assembly confirmed her nomination as High Commissioner by consensus at a special meeting.
Began term as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Assumed office as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 1 September 2008; four-year term.
Called for investigation into Sri Lanka's end-of-war abuses
After the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War, Pillay publicly called for investigation into alleged violations by both sides.
Forbes: ranked 64th most powerful woman
Forbes ranked Pillay #64 in its list of the world's most powerful women (2009).
Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement
Received the Golden Plate Award presented by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Cape Town.
Spoke on WikiLeaks financial blockade concerns
Expressed concern that financial pressure/blockade against WikiLeaks would violate freedom of expression.
Supported UNHRC gay-rights resolution
Voiced support for a gay-rights resolution approved by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011.
Signed 'Born Free and Equal' document
As High Commissioner she signed 'BORN FREE AND EQUAL', pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity in international human rights law.
Called for suspension of Zimbabwe sanctions
In 2012 called for an end to sanctions on Zimbabwe; the call was criticized by some Zimbabwean civil society groups.
Mandate extended two years as High Commissioner
UN General Assembly extended her High Commissioner mandate for a further two years (extension confirmed May 2012; extension began 1 Sep 2012).
Spoke out on Quebec student protests (Bill 78 criticism)
Delivered a speech (8 June 2012) criticizing Quebec authorities' restrictions on protest (Bill 78), generating mixed NGO reaction and criticism from Quebec officials.
Called Edward Snowden a 'human rights defender'
At a July 2014 news conference she referred to Edward Snowden as a 'human rights defender' and urged consideration of arguments to avert criminal proceedings.
Criticized international 'paralysis' over Syria
In August 2014 she criticized the international community's paralysis in addressing the Syrian Civil War, citing hundreds of thousands dead.
Ended term as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Her term ended 31 August 2014; succeeded in September 2014 by Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad.
Became 16th Commissioner, International Commission Against the Death Penalty
In April 2015 Pillay was appointed the 16th Commissioner of the ICDP (International Commission Against the Death Penalty).
Honorary doctorate — Durban University of Technology
Awarded an honorary degree by Durban University of Technology (hometown university) — honorary doctorate (2017).
Elected President of ICDP
Elected President of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty (ICDP) in October 2017.
Appointed ad hoc Judge, International Court of Justice (The Gambia v. Myanmar)
Elected by The Gambia to serve as ad hoc judge on the ICJ in the case alleging genocide against the Rohingya (The Gambia v. Myanmar).
Chair, UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Occupied Palestinian Territory (established)
Named Chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory created after the 2021 Israel–Gaza clashes (commission continued work subsequently).
Defended Miloon Kothari amid controversy
In July 2022, defended UN fact-finding mission member Miloon Kothari after his comments about a 'Jewish lobby' were widely condemned; Pillay said remarks were taken out of context.
Public statements on 7 Oct 2023 attacks and Israel response
Following the 7 October 2023 attacks, Pillay publicly stated that war crimes were being committed by both Hamas and Israel and criticized retribution that disproportionately targeted children.
Serving as Chair of Quasi-Judicial Inquiry into Detention in DPRK and President, Nuremberg Principles Academy advisory council
Continued to hold multiple international roles: Chair of DPRK detention inquiry, President of the Nuremberg Principles Academy Advisory Council, and trustee roles (dates overlap; ongoing as publicised).
Awarded 2025 Sydney Peace Prize
Awarded the prestigious Sydney Peace Prize for a lifetime's work defending human rights, peace with justice and women's rights (citation published May–July 2025).
Reported resignation from UN-backed team (letter citing age and medical issues)
Reported she sent a letter resigning effective Nov. 3 citing age, medical issues and other commitments (context in text is resignations from a UN-backed team focusing on Palestinian areas; date/year explicitly referenced in sources as associated with 2025 reporting).
Key Achievement Ages
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