Former International Criminal Court judge Navanethem "Navi" Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her work promoting peace and international law.
Pillay has been instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted, said Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
Born into a family of Indian Tamil origin under apartheid in Durban, South Africa, Pillay has served as a judge on the High Court in South Africa, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court.
She served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014.
"Navi Pillay has held states and national leaders accountable and brought hope to victims of violence and conflict," The Norwegian Nobel Committee said in a statement. "In all the positions she has held, she has stressed the responsibility of individuals and states to comply with the rule of law."