Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has presented the International Four Freedoms Award 2010 to the European Court of Human Rights.

The Court received the award for its contribution to protecting human rights in Europe over the past 50 years. The award was accepted by its President Jean-Paul Costa.

The Freedom of Speech and Expression award went to Dmitry Muratov of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta. He received the award for his commitment to the freedom of speech. The Freedom of Worship award was received by Asma Jahangir, a Pakistani human rights activist and United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Genocide
The Freedom from Fear award was presented to Australian Gareth Evans, who became famous for arguing that military intervention is justified when a country is unable to prevent genocide. The Freedoms from Want award went to Canadian Maurice Strong, who has won global recognition as a champion of protecting the environment through the principle of sustainability.

The Four Freedoms Awards have been presented since 1982 as a tribute to former US president Franklin D Roosevelt. In a 1941 address to Congress, he named four essential human freedoms: the freedom of speech, freedom of religion and of religion and the freedom of want and of fear.

Great-grandson
In addition to Prime Minister Balkenende and Foreign Minister Verhagen, the ceremony was also attended by Queen Beatrix and Crown Prince Willem Alexander. Also present was Scott Roosevelt, the great-grandson of the legendary US president.

The awards are presented in Middelburg because president Roosevelt’s ancestors came from this Zeeland town.