Olivier Ndoole Named “Human Rights Defender at Risk”

ELAW partner Olivier Ndoole traveled to Dublin, Ireland, last week to receive a 2023 Human Rights Defenders at Risk Award from Front Line Defenders. This award honors the work of defenders who courageously promote and protect the human rights of others, often at significant personal risk.

Olivier is founder and Executive Secretary at Alerte Congolaise pour l’Environnement et les Droits de l’Homme (Congolese Alert for the Environment and Human Rights, ACEDH), based in Goma, North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Front Line Defenders writes: “Olivier is known as the ‘Green Lawyer’ in North Kivu because of his defense of Virunga Park and its workers and people. The communities he has represented face economic expropriation and exploitation of their land and resources.”

Olivier provides legal services to communities that otherwise struggle to access legal aid because they live in rural areas and are taking on powerful and well-resourced entities, including the government and corporations seeking to exploit land, minerals, and wildlife.

ELAW applauds Olivier’s dedication to defending communities and the environment in the Democratic Republic of Congo and congratulates him on this international recognition!

Read more about Olivier and his courageous award-winning work:

Front Line Defenders Press Release (May 26, 2023)

Protecting Virunga National Park (ELAW Bulletin. September 7, 2022)

Pushing for a Better World (ELAW Bulletin. April 2, 2020)

Kate Holcombe
Managing Attorney
Defending Defenders Program
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide

Image Caption: ELAW partner Olivier Ndoole traveled to Dublin, Ireland, last week to receive a 2023 Human Rights Defenders at Risk Award from Front Line Defenders.