Agbor Balla, Maximilienne Mbe wins Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Awards
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Two human rights activist from Cameroon who have been relentless in the promotion and protection of human rights and democratic values have been honoured by The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation as outstanding human rights defenders.
The two Cameroonians Human Rights Defenders, Maximilienne C. Ngo Mbe (Executive Director of Network of Human Rights Defenders in Central Africa) and Felix Agbor Nkongho (Balla) (The President of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa) were on 7 June 2022 honoured with the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Human Rights Awards in a ceremony held at the Kennedy Caucus Room at the United States Senate in Washington, D.C.
The two right activists have been at the forefront, monitoring, documenting, reporting and advocating for the respect of human rights and civic space in Cameroon and Central Africa. They have also been advocating for peaceful resolution of conflicts amidst the ongoing Anglophone armed conflict and the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northern Regions and the fragile political space in country. Their role, seeking for peace in the Cameroon has been greatly felt by the vulnerable population.
Maximilienne C. Ngo Mbe is a Cameroonian human rights defender with over 30 years’ experience, and leader of the Central African Human Rights Defenders Network (REDHAC). Since 2010, she has led REDHAC’s 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 of speaking truth to power
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 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 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.
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.
