Federal Cross of Merit for Rüdiger Nehberg (2002)

On February 28, 2002, Rüdiger Nehberg was awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by Federal President Johannes Rau. The award was presented by the Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein, Heide Simonis, in the state government's guest house in Kiel. The award was intended to honor Nehberg's many years of commitment to the survival of the Yanomami Indians in Brazil, his actions to preserve nature and his current commitment against female genital mutilation.

Simonis praised Nehberg's dialog with Islam as a particularly noteworthy starting point for effectively combating the cruel practice of female genital mutilation: "Lasting change can only be achieved with respect for the values and traditions of those affected."