The 2026 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, a prestigious award that honors individuals who contribute to the realization of peace through their work, goes to French-British lawyer and author Philippe Sands, the prize's board of trustees announced on Thursday.
"In his literary work, which is distinguished both by narrative brilliance and historical depth, Philippe Sands devotes as much attention to the motives of the perpetrators as to the suffering and lives of the victims," the jury noted in its statement. "At the heart of his legal work is a commitment to the universal rights of every human being, evidenced in his advocacy for victims of war crimes, racism, torture and colonial injustice."
More than a chronicler of crimes and violations of international law, Sands is also a prominent figure in the campaign advocating for the recognition of ecocide as an international crime.
A family history leading to a life devoted to justice
Born on 17 October 1960 in London, Sands completed his law studies at the University of Cambridge in 1983. He soon established himself as a highly sought-after expert in international law.
