Imprisoned trade union leader Sithar Chhim awarded Government’s international prize for human rights and democracy

SWEDEN, May 10 - The Per Anger Prize is awarded to people who have undertaken special actions for humanitarian causes and democracy. The Prize celebrates courage, capacity to act and engagement. This year’s winner – Sithar Chhim – is president of the trade union Labour Rights Supported Union (LRSU) of Khmer Employees of Naga World in Cambodia. She has mobilised and organised thousands of people at her workplace in the fight for increased rights. 

Many of the people supported by the LRSU are women from poor households. Sithar Chhim has supported these women in demanding their rights and demonstrated the value of individuals whose rights and dignity are being violated supporting one another.

– Sithar Chhim has shown that there is power in knowledge and collective action. She gives strength and hope to the fundamental democratic principle that lawful rights must apply, says Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

Sithar Chhim was arrested in November 2022 and has now been imprisoned for two years.

This year’s winner was nominated by the aid organisation Diakonia and the jury’s citation was: "Sithar Chhim has been awarded this year’s Per Anger Prize for her tireless and dedicated work to promote democracy and respect for human rights in Cambodia.

As a union leader, in a country ruled by an autocratic regime where human rights defenders are constantly under attack, she demands that employers comply with the law and that the State uphold it. Because of this, she is now in imprisoned. 

She is a vital source of support for Cambodian women who are forced to work under appalling conditions.  They are demanding to have their voices heard and their rights respected at their places of work.

Even though Sithar Chhim has endured harassment, threats, and violence for years, her fight for justice continues. Today she is imprisoned, but refuses to give up. Even in prison, she encourages and supports her fellow inmates.  

Her enormous courage and dedication are an inspiration. As a young female leader, she is a role model for us all."

The Per Anger Prize is the Government’s international prize for human rights and democracy. It was established in 2004 to highlight the efforts of Swedish diplomat Per Anger during the Second World War when he saved Hungarian Jews from the Holocaust. The Living History Forum has been instructed by the Government to award the prize annually, and this year is the 20th anniversary.