Nnimmo Bassey: 2012 Rafto Prize Winner1 October 2012
Nnimmo Bassey, Chair of Friends of the Earth International, will be the winner of the 2012 Rafto Prize for Human Rights.
The prestigious award is for Nnimmo's long-term fight for people's rights to life, health, food and water. He is one of Africa's leading human rights and environmental campaigners.
Nobel Prize Winner?
Several recipients of the Rafto Prize have gone on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
I am honoured and humbled by this announcement. I hold the Rafto Foundation in high esteem for its commitment to human right defenders. I have campaigned on oil pollution and human rights in Nigeria for decades. Standing with impacted communities we continually demand justice. We press on, convinced that truth will prevail.
Nnimmo Bassey
Bassey was elected Chair of Friends of the Earth International in 2008. Under his leadership the environmental network has targeted the devastation the oil industry has caused to African communities like Nigeria.
His work includes a major court case against the oil giant Shell. A verdict is expected in early 2013.
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