Volker Turk hails Nobel award as ‘collective win’ for human rights and justice

On Friday, the UN human rights chief announced that Navi Palley’s Nobel Peace Prize was a monumental triumph for transitional justice and accountability by means of the International Criminal Court.

Volker Turk worked closely with Navi Pillay during her term as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014 described as the epitome of international law.

In this connection, Turk asserted in response to a question about Pillay’s former role as an ICC judge, “ And it's clear that we need ‌international ⁠criminal accountability mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court, and it's clear that we have a very strong signal that this is absolutely critical in today's world.”

Pillay was head of a UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory until last year “ It is a recognition not only of what she did in relation to Palestine but frankly what she did in relation to so many other conflicts and situations around the world.

Turk has appreciated Navi for showing courage, integrity and an unwavering belief in human rights for inspiring us all.

Furthermore, the award comes as Donald Trump has sharply criticized international courts and imposed sanctions on court officials; though Noble organizers highlighted the importance of international law in the wake of the escalating geopolitical tensions.