Joya receives Golden Fleur-de-Lis award from Florence City

On July 23, 2007, in an official ceremony held in Palazzo Vecchio (the town hall of Florence - Italy) in front of all the city council and public, Malalai Joya was awarded with the Golden Fleur-de-Lis (Giglio d'Oro) award, a prestigious recognition given to those who have distinguished themselves for their commitment to the promotion of Human rights and civil rights. The award was also given to Shukuria Barakzai, an Afghan MP.

The President of the City Council, Mr. Eros Cruccolini and The Mayor of Florence Mr. Leonardo Domenici in a letter on July 5, 2007 wrote to Joya: "The Municipality of Florence, through the Peace and International Solidarity Commission, has decided unanimously to assign you the golden Fleur-de–Lis award, a prestigious recognition and a symbol of our city, which is assigned every year to different personalities who have distinguished themselves for initiatives promoting the human and civil rights in any part of the world. We would like to express our deepest congratulations and send you our warmest greetings."

In a speech after receiving the award Malalai Joya stated: "I am honored to receive the award on behalf of the suffering Afghan women and men. It has a really huge moral value to me and puts extra responsibilities and obligations on my shoulders to fight against injustices and brutal fundamentalists in my country."

In a message to the ceremony, Mr. Maximum D'Alema, Foreign Minister of Italy congratulated Joya and admired her fight for women's rights and justice.

In the past two weeks Joya is on speaking tours to different cities of Italy and attends events organized by her supporters. She will also address the Italian parliament in Rome. Last month there were number protests in different Italian cities against the suspension of Malalai Joya from the Afghan parliament.

Joya had also received the Woman of Year Award from Italy in 2004.

Joya stated in her speech after receiving the award: "Your encouragement and solidarity with my efforts for a free, democratic and secular Afghanistan, even further motivate me to fight with higher determination and steadfastness against enemies of humanity in my ill-fated country, even if it will require me to scarify my life for it. As the famous words go 'I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.' "

President of the city council Mr. Eros Cruccolini, congratulates Joya after receiving the award.

Joya with the vice-mayor of Florence Mr. Matulli

Joya meeting with Foreign Minister of Italy, Mr. Maximum D'Alema.
She discussed Afghanistan issues with him and asked Italy not to follow the wrong policies of the US government in supporting fundamentalists of the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. Joya expressed that if Italy really want the well-being of Afghan people, must oppose such polices and try to help and support freedom-loving and democratic-minded individuals and groups in Afghanistan and try to work towards prosecution of war criminals.

Joya with President of the Regione Toscana Martini and minister for equal opportunities of the Italian government Pollastrini

Joya addressing a gathering in San Rossore (Pisa) held on the 20th of July which was organized by the Regione Toscana. Her speech was high applauded by the participants.

Video Clip of the award ceremony in Afghan TV Channel