As part of the 2008 Berlin Film Festival in Germany, the Cinema For Peace organization held a gala on Feb.11, 2008.

Among 4 candidates for "The International Human Rights Film Award 2008" of Cinema for Peace, Malalai Joya was declared winner.

The award committee wrote to Joya: "we believe that your work in Enemies of Happiness makes a very valuable contribution to the cause of peace and understanding."

The award was given to Joya by two times OSCAR winner Hilary Swank.

Some other nominees for the Cinema for Peace award in different categories for 2008 were Angelina Jolie, Michael Moore, Christiane Amanpour, Leonardo DiCaprio etc.

Cinema for Peace is an initiative that aims to promote peace and international understanding through the medium of film.

Introduction by Hilary Swank before giving the award to Joya:

The International Human Rights Film Award will be granted for the second time in order to highlight and support extremely courageous action in the fight for people's justice, freedom, dignity and life. Women's rights are at stake every day in Afghanistan, but there has been an extraordinary woman who is tirelessly working to make a difference. Despite the most brutal threats and several assassination attempts, nothing has stopped her. Afghanistan is a country where the United Nations Development Fund for Human Rights has been strongly supporting women's rights and has helped to establish laws in the constitution. All this would not be possible without courageous leaders taking risks. Malalai is one of those courageous leaders.

I am truly honoured to present this award to a woman who is a personal inspiration to me and to people all over the world. I believe that I speak for everyone gathered here tonight to honour you and your work when I say: we stand by you, behind you, for you, to help carry your voice for justice. Not only in Afghanistan, but the world. You are a shining example of how one person can make a difference in millions of lives and in the future of millions. Bless you, Malalai, may God be with you. The International Human Rights Film Award by Cinema for Peace, Amnesty International and the Human Rights Film Network goes to Malalai Joya and "Enemies of Happiness" by director Eva Mulvad.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome a genuine heroine on stage – Malalai Joya and Eva Mulvad!


Source: MalalaiJoya.com

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