Media Statement

The African National Congress (ANC) welcomes and congratulates two of South Africa’s outstanding luminaries, erudite scholars and champions of human rights, on receiving the Olof Palme Prize.

The Olof Palme Prize is an esteemed international award honouring the legacy of former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme and recognising individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to peace, human rights, democracy, non-racialism and justice.

This is no ordinary award but an honour to esteemed personalities involved in the struggles for justice and a free world based on human rights, equality and most importantly, a universal justice system founded on the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Charter and international law and in recognition of their lifelong commitment to justice.

An anti-apartheid activist, Dr Pillay’s life and history are embedded in the liberation struggle, rising through the ranks and serving in many capacities until her appointment as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and as a judge and President of international criminal tribunals to prosecute crimes against humanity. She served the international criminal justice and human rights system with distinction.

In addition to other roles, she presided over the United Nations Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which found Israel in breach of international law and human rights violations.

Professor John Dugard is a distinguished and leading scholar of international law, a champion for human rights and the founding director of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies. He played a significant role in shaping human rights law in South Africa and the world.

This award is aptly timed for the 30th anniversary of our democratic Constitution, founded on a culture of human rights, and is intrinsically linked to the country’s respect for human rights.

With a world mired in wars, human suffering, inequality, hunger and other social ills, they fly the South African flag high with pride, representing a commitment to a global order based on peace, justice and reparations, and to an immediate end to conflict for peaceful co-existence, tolerance and human dignity.

We congratulate them on their achievements.

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