Pillay, a former UN human rights chief and International Court of Justice judge, was recognised “for her efforts to promote peace and international law”, which paved the way for a “more comprehensive global legal order”, the Nobel committee said.
The South African’s work had been “instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide are prosecuted”, said the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Jørgen Watne Frydnes.
Shortly afterwards, the 85-year-old reacted to the news from Nuremberg’s Palace of Justice by saying “it must be a joke” and thanked those who had gathered to applaud her.
“If you clap a little bit more I may share this prize with Trump,” she joked.
Last year, the president openly expressed his displeasure at missing out on the prize, with the White House accusing the committee of placing “politics over peace”.
In January, Machado gifted her medal to Trump during a meeting at the White House, which she said was in recognition of his commitment to her country’s freedom.
Trump said on social media that the move was “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect”.
The Nobel committee later clarified that the prize was not transferable.
“Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others,” it said in a statement. “The decision is final and stands for all time.”
