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His strong commitment to environmental protection and the fight against climate justice earned him an award. On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, celebrated on December 10, 2024, Me Olivier Ndoole was honored by the Kingdom of the Netherlands with the Tulip Human Rights Award in Goma.The Ambassador of the Netherlands, present in Goma, expressed his appreciation for the laureate, who fights for the well-being of the Congolese people (both indigenous and local communities) and the promotion of environmental protection through his work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In his speech, the Ambassador of the Netherlands praised the efforts made by this expert in defending human and environmental rights: « It is with joy and honor that I stand before you to honor an exceptional man and environmental advocate, Mr. Olivier Ndoole. On this International Human Rights Day, I am proud to present the Tulip Award to a person whose courage and determination light the way toward a better future for our planet. »The Tulip Award is a recognition by the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the importance of these efforts and a call to action for all those who believe in a future where human rights and environmental sustainability go hand in hand. His unwavering commitment to social and environmental justice is an inspiration. For the Ambassador of the Netherlands in the DRC, «
Me Olivier Ndoole has demonstrated remarkable leadership in defending the rights of vulnerable populations, fighting against environmental violations, and advocating for the sustainable management of natural resources. His work highlights the crucial challenges we face and reminds each of us that protecting our environment is intrinsically linked to protecting human rights. « Every environmental advocate has the obligation to do their best to protect the environment and advocate for climate justice. » Currently, the climate crisis presents us with immense challenges, and it is essential that each of us becomes aware of our role in protecting the environment and the rights of the communities that depend on it.
Mr. Ndoole has shown us the critical importance of environmental rights in communities in the DRC. »In a testimony, the participants at this event praised Me Olivier Ndoole for his courage and, above all, his commitment to promoting environmental rights, which remain largely unknown in the DRC.
Mr. Samson Rukira, from the NGO SJDDH (Synergy of Youth for Development and Human Rights), expressed his congratulations to Me Olivier Ndoole for his courage and the work he has done in protecting the environment: « I greatly congratulate Me Olivier Ndoole for the work he has done in the fight against climate injustice and environmental protection. Especially, for the determination with which he is committed to promoting human and environmental rights in our country. I hope he continues this work and trains many other local defenders who can do what he does today, even in his absence abroad. »
On the other hand, the honorable Prince Kyamwami, coordinator of the « Ecologists » group in the DRC, also congratulated the Embassy of the Netherlands for honoring one of the environmental defenders in the DRC, who, despite the country’s difficulties, continues to work in the fight: « I want to congratulate the Ambassador of the Netherlands for today’s initiative. This is not the first time; this is the third initiative, and it is encouraging. When we participate in an event like this, it boosts the morale of other actors in the sector. Despite the challenges, we know that what we are doing is being observed by someone, and one day it will be recognized. Thank you for this gesture in favor of one of those who are part of the environmental protection process. »
For his part, Me Olivier Ndoole dedicated this award to local environmental defenders who are fighting for the success of the climate change battle: « Distinguished elected officials and activists, I greet you, and my joy is immense. This prestigious Tulip Award presented to me today is a collective effort. It is thanks to your efforts and the battles you lead for justice, for climate issues, for local communities’ rights in favor of a just energy transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, that today the Netherlands and other partners are recognizing the defenders of environmental rights and land rights in the DRC. We received this award because of your efforts. Many have been killed, many are in prison because of their defense of environmental issues. »
The harrowing testimonies of environmental defenders present at the event were a shield of pride and encouragement for the newcomers trained in this field. Me Olivier Ndoole recalled a difficult moment in 2015, when he was about to be arrested: « It was once again the Netherlands that protected me and was our first partner. Today, together with climate activists, we are once again grateful for this commitment in favor of environmental and climate defenders. »A minute of silence was observed in the room in memory of the environmental and climate heroes: « Here, we honor the memory of defenders like Obed Karafuli, who was killed for defending the rights of local communities, former workers from the Sisiya communities in Rutshuru, and 15 farmers who were massacred in Rutshuru in Jomba. »It should be noted that this award ceremony was a moment of reflection on the responsibility of every environmental defender in the world. During the screening of a documentary titled We Are Garden, several participants expressed the importance of individual and collective responsibility in protecting the environment. Numerous recommendations were made to local and international decision-makers.The case of Me Buuma Shebando Christian, from the Association for the Development of Landscape Initiatives, was also discussed: « This documentary addresses complex themes: politics, history, economics, science. What I take away from this film is the awakening of local communities’ consciousness, which also highlights the importance of protecting ecosystems and the rights of indigenous peoples, while encouraging actors to reflect on their own relationship with the environment. Community resilience is one of the most valuable pieces of advice given to defenders of environmental rights and international powers benefiting from environmental funds to repair the damage caused by their peers. »The Ambassador of the Netherlands added: « Mr. Ndoole, your commitment to social and environmental justice is an inspiration to us all. You have shown remarkable leadership in defending the rights of vulnerable populations, fighting against environmental violations, and advocating for the sustainable management of natural resources. Your work highlights the critical challenges our country is facing and reminds each of us that protecting our environment is intrinsically linked to protecting human rights. »The Ambassador of the Netherlands emphasized the renewal of their support and commitment to partnering with Me Olivier Ndoole and all human rights defenders: « Together, we can create positive and lasting change. »—This translation conveys the essence of your original article while ensuring the text flows naturally in English.
