COJEP awards were distributed at a ceremony in Geneva. IHH executive board member Hüseyin Oruç took the award from COJEP President Ali Gediklioğlu.

Delivering a speech at the event, Oruç said he was one of those on board the Mavi Marmara ship, which was attacked by Israeli soldiers in May while taking humanitarian aid to Gaza. Oruç said despite the martyrdom of nine peaceful activists in Israel’s bloody attack, the IHH will continue relief efforts for Gaza.

“This award has reminded us of that bloody night. We had set sail to bring an end to the sufferings in Gaza. People from 36 countries had come together for a common goal. We underwent a big pain on the night of May 31 but everyone knows that Palestinians undergo big pains everyday.”

Oruç’s speech drew a huge applause from the audience.

COJEP’s second human rights award was given to French football player Lilian Thuran for his fight against racism.

COJEP’s intercultural award for 2010 was given to Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altawjiri, director General of Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, ISESCO. Altawjiri took the award from the hands of COJEP Secretary-General Celil Yılmaz. At the end of the ceremony those who were given awards posed for a souvenir photo.