Barrister Felix Agbor Nkongho Bags ABA Awards for Outstanding Human Rights Advocacy

The award recognizes "exceptional achievements by an individual or organization as a champion and defender of human rights outside the United States, consistent with international human rights law"

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, Cameroon – In a momentous achievement, Barrister Felix Agbor Nkongho, a prominent Cameroonian human rights advocate, has been awarded the prestigious American Bar Association (ABA) International Human Rights Award. This accolade recognizes his relentless dedication to defending human rights and the rule of law in Cameroon and beyond.

The award will be presented at a dinner honouring international guests on Thursday, August 1, during the Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association in Chicago.

“This is a big honour for me, having this award from the prestigious American Bar Association, and you remember this award is coming after the one I won at the Robert Kennedy Foundation. It also shows that hard work, resilience, and being focused and doing what you believe in, someday you will have recognition. I dedicate this award to my family because they have been with me throughout my typical period,” Felix Nkongho Agbor told Pan African Visions.

“But also, to the entire staff of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA, for the support, for the enormous work that they've been doing, to all civil society leaders who we've worked together, who are fighting for the protection and the promotion of human rights, and equally to all victims of gross egregious human rights violations.”

The ABA International Human Rights Award is bestowed upon individuals or organizations who have made exceptional contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights on an international scale. Barrister Nkongho, also known as "Balla," has been at the forefront of advocating for civil liberties, justice, and democracy, often at great personal risk.

Felix Nkongho added: “We should continue the work as a team, build synergy across the board, and keep on doing advocacy. I sincerely thank the American Bar Association for this award, and it would only motivate me, it would only encourage me to keep on fighting for the protection and the promotion of human rights.”

The award is presented annually on behalf of six ABA entities (the Center for Global Programs, the Center for Human Rights, the Rule of Law Initiative, the Civil Rights and Social Justice Section, the International Law Section and the Litigation Section). 

“Mr. Nkongho stood out, among a powerful field of nominees, for his courageous and principled advocacy in support of human rights and the peaceful settlement of disputes," said Mark Agrast, chair of the ABA’s International Human Rights Award selection committee.

Felix Nkongho’s journey as a human rights defender has been marked by courage and resilience. He is the founder and president of the Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), an organization that has played a pivotal role in highlighting human rights abuses and providing legal assistance to victims. His work has brought international attention to the ongoing crisis in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, where conflict and human rights violations have led to widespread suffering.

Nkongho’s advocacy has not been without peril. In January 2017, he was arrested and detained for several months on charges related to his activism. Despite the personal risks, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to justice and the protection of human rights.

The ABA's decision to honour Nkongho with the International Human Rights Award is a testament to his unwavering dedication and the significant impact of his work. It underscores the importance of standing up for justice, even in the face of adversity, and the power of international support in amplifying the voices of those who fight for human rights.

The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.