Agbor Balla, Maximilienne C. Ngo Mbe gets International Human Rights awards
3 min read
Barrister Felix Agbor Nkongho (Balla) of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa and Maximilienne C. Ngo Mbe of Network of Human Rights Defenders in Central Africa (REDHAC) have been honored by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.
The two human rights defenders are known for speaking out against injustices in Cameroon and beyond. Because of their role, there has been policy change toward the respect and protection of human rights and rule of law. The rights of marginalized groups and individuals have also been protected as a result of their advocacy at the national and international levels. The rights of the indigenous people, the rights of prisoners and the laws have been improved because of their contributions towards ensuring the promotion and respect of human rights and the rule of law.
Each year, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights recognizes a range of truth-tellers, activists, and change-makers from across the world for their transformative work in the pursuit of a more just and peaceful world. Their awards uplift the voices of the most courageous frontline advocates and leaders and amplify their messages to a worldwide audience.
Announcing the awards on their Facebook page on 05 May 2022, they state that ‘Our Human Rights Award honours outstanding champions of social justice who stand up to violence and oppression. We are proud to announce our 2022 laureates, Maximilienne C. Ngo Mbe of the Central African Human Rights Defenders Network (Reseau Des Defenseurs Des Droits Humains En Afrique Centrale and Felix Agbor Nkongho (Balla) of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa…Maximilienne and Felix have been fearless advocates for the protection of fundamental freedoms across Cameroon and Central Africa, in the midst of conflict, closing civic space, and high personal risks. We’re so proud to honour them with this award.’
Felix Agbor Nkongho (Balla) is a Cameroonian lawyer and human rights, defender. He is the director of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) and a leading advocate for the human rights of Cameroonians in the conflict-stricken Anglophone region. Felix’s work focuses on the promotion of democracy, good governance, access to justice, and rule of law. Felix’s reputation as a devoted human rights defender is evidenced by his tireless work for human rights in Cameroon and throughout Africa, despite state-sanctioned pushback, including his arbitrary detention in 2017.
Maximilienne C. Ngo Mbe is a Cameroonian human rights defender with over 30 years of experience, and leader of the Central African Human Rights Defenders Network (REDHAC). Since 2010, she has been leading REDHAC in its efforts to promote civic space and fundamental freedoms throughout Central Africa through investigations of human rights abuses, advocacy before regional human rights bodies, monitoring of democratic processes, and demanding state accountability. Maximilienne’s persistence in the face of consistent threats and reprisals, and her dedication to the advancement of human rights embodies Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’ motto to speak truth to power.
The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award identifies and honours those who embody Robert F. Kennedy’s belief that the power of individual and collective moral courage can overcome injustice. Each year, we honour outstanding champions of social justice who stand up to oppression, even at great personal risk, in the nonviolent pursuit of human rights.
This year, we’re proud to present the RFK Human Rights Award to Cameroonian human rights defenders Maximilienne C. Ngo Mbe and Felix Agbor Nkongho (Balla). These two courageous activists embody the civil society efforts from both the Anglophone and Francophone regions of Cameroon to work for human rights and democracy in the midst of conflict, closing civic space and high personal risks.
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
