According to a statement sent to VerAngola, the recognition is based on the environmentalist's work with the Otchiva Foundation.
"During the National Human Rights Award ceremony, organized by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, environmentalist Fernanda Renée was recognized as 'Personality of the Year in Human Rights' for her work with the Otchiva Foundation in the defense of fishing communities that depend on the marine ecosystems as their source of income and livelihood, which have been impacted by landfills and illegal constructions", reads the statement.
For the environmentalist, adds the note, the aforementioned award highlights "the relevance of environmental issues within the scope of justice and human rights and emphasizes that for the first time" the country is taking significant steps by "highlighting the environment as a de facto fundamental right, which needs greater dissemination in all fringes of society".
The environmentalist also highlighted that the "true heroes and heroines" are, in reality, the sinners and fishmongers who daily "face great challenges in the face of the privatization of beaches and occupation of the coastline without respect for the survival and food security of these communities", reads in the statement.
According to the note, other people were also awarded at the said ceremony with regard to "the prizes for the culture of peace and citizenship, community and humanitarian actions, human rights research, as well as honorable mentions for individuality and a career in human rights, highlighted by Francisco Queiroz, Paulo Tchipilica, Santana André Pitra "Petrof", among others".
