Judge Navi Pillay to accept 2025 Sydney Peace Prize
At a time of global conflict and uncertainty, Sydney will host the former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and trailblazing international jurist, Judge Navi Pillay. Justice Pillay will be in Australia to accept the 2025 Sydney Peace Prize “for a lifetime of advocating for fundamental human rights, peace with justice and the rights of women”.
On 6 November, Judge Navi Pillay will receive the honour from Lord Mayor of Sydney and Sydney Peace Foundation Patron Clover Moore and deliver a keynote address at the Lecture and Award Ceremony at Sydney Town Hall.
Judge Pillay has played a critical role in holding the tide against the global rise in impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity, advocating for accountability, the rule of law, and the protection of human dignity – from South Africa to Sri Lanka, Rwanda to Myanmar, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. She has worked for justice at the centre point of some of humanity’s most brutal conflicts.
Upon accepting the 2025 Sydney Peace Prize nomination, Navi Pillay stated: “This award is not mine alone. It belongs to all those who, across decades and continents, have stood up against injustice – often at great personal cost. It belongs to every survivor who found the courage to testify, to every human rights defender who remains steadfast in the face of threats and hostility, and to every young person who dares to believe in a better, more just world.”
Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney council and patron of the Sydney Peace Foundation, who will award the Sydney Peace Prize, said: “Sydney is honoured to recognise Judge Navi Pillay, whose fearless defence of human rights has given voice to the silenced and hope to the oppressed. Judge Pillay’s work reminds us that peace depends on those willing to speak truth to power, and requires accountability, courage and compassion – values our city proudly stands behind. With an unwavering belief that the law must serve humanity, Judge Navi Pillay’s work shows us that peace can be built through justice and dignity.”
“This Prize acknowledges Judge Pillay’s courageous work to protect fundamental human rights and her tireless advocacy for accountability in the face of impunity for crimes against humanity. It also acknowledges her integrity, humanity and deep compassion – qualities so fundamental in the pursuit of peace with justice,” Melanie Morrison, Director of the Sydney Peace Foundation.
As chair of the UN Commission of Inquiry into Israel’s actions in Gaza, Judge Pillay recently handed down the Commission’s report that concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.
At Sydney Town Hall on 6 November, Judge Pillay will be joined by her colleague and leading human rights law expert Chris Sidoti, Australian Centre for International Justice founder Rawan Arraf, journalist Nour Haydar, and Sydney Peace Foundation’s Deputy Chair Mohamed Duar.
Judge Pillay will also meet with members of Parliament, policymakers and civil society leaders in Sydney and Canberra with public events including a National Press Club of Australia address, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Parliamentary briefings in Canberra, the Gala Dinner at the University of Sydney and other partner events.
The Sydney Peace Prize is Australia’s international prize for peace, awarded by the Sydney Peace Foundation. For over 27 years, the Prize has recognised leading global voices that promote peace, justice and nonviolence. Laureates include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Professors Noam Chomsky and Joseph Stiglitz, Patrick Dodson, Naomi Klein, the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Media enquiries:
Melanie Morrison, Director