Renowned rights defender, Bar. Ewule Lyonga, wins Canadian award
Barrister Edward Lyonga Ewule was this week awarded the 2023 Canadian Human Rights Defenders Award. He received his award on Thursday, December 7, 2023, in the residence of the Canadian Ambassador, in the presence of government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and the Cameroon Bar.
While handing over the award, the Canadian Ambassador, Lorainne Anderson, indicated that Barrister Ewule was distinguished among many Rights Defenders in Cameroon, whose works have foiled the many abuses in the country.
She affirmed that Barrister Ewule stood out among his peers for putting his life on the line in defending the less privileged.
Canadian Ambassador, Lorainne Anderson speaking during the award event.
“It is our honour to hand over this award to Barrister Edward Lyonga Ewule for his defence of freedom of the press, and the rights of journalists. We’re pleased to recognise his tireless efforts in advocating for the equality and protection of all especially those who face discrimination within the Cameroon legal system. He is well recognised with the advocacy and the defence of prison rights and actively collaborates with the International Federation of Women’s Rights in defence of cases of violations against women,” she added.
While receiving the award, Barrister Ewule said the recognition strengthens his resolve to put up more advocacy in defending the rights of those abused in the country. He dedicated the award to his colleagues who have put up as much defence as him, in reducing the number of rights abuses in Cameroon. He also dedicated the award to his clients who daily, suffer some form of rights abuses.
Barrister Ewule, giving an acceptance speech during the award ceremony.
This award adds up to three others accorded Barrister Ewule in the past five years. In 2021 he was awarded Human Rights Defender of the Year by the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon as well as, another from the Pan African Cultural Festival ( PANAFES ). In addition, he bagged the award for Most Consistent Human Rights Defender at the Golden Awards organized by the Dream Network.
Since 2019, Ewule has put up a strong defence against rights violators.
The Canadian Human Rights Award is an annual event organised to celebrate actors of human rights defence across the year. It is organised as part of activities to commemorate the promulgation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebrated on December 10, every year.
