2024 Per Anger Prize awarded to imprisoned Cambodian Human Rights Defender

The Per Anger prize is the Swedish Government’s international prize for human rights and democracy. This year’s prize is awarded to Cambodian union leader and human rights defender Sithar Chhim for her tireless and persistent fight for fairer working conditions for workers in her country. As a union leader, she demands that employers comply with the law and that the government upholds it.  For this, Sithar Chhim is now in prison.  

Sithar Chhim is the President of the Labour Rights Supported Union (LRSU), which works to secure fair pay and working conditions for workers at Cambodia’s biggest hotel and casino complex. Above all, she fights for all Cambodian women who work under unfair and appalling conditions, and who are regularly subjected to sexual harassment in the workplaces. 

Sithar Chhim works to strengthen women’s voices and make them aware of their right to form and join a trade union.  Since Sithar Chhim took over the union leadership, the number of members has increased from just a handful to several thousand. Most of the members are women from poor backgrounds and many are young. 

“Injustice makes young people active and once they know their rights, they will claim them and show their discontent. However, many young people are self-censoring themselves and are afraid to speak out. But it is a matter of time before they demand more freedoms and ability to express their concerns without reprisals”, says Sithar Chhim. 

Sithar Chhim advocates for labour law as a human right which, by law, must be protected by the Cambodian ruling party and respected by all companies. That is not the case today.  

“They can put me and other leaders in prison, but they cannot shut down our fighting spirit. “

Sithar Chhim faces constant opposition, with both employers and the local authorities trying to stop her. She has been subject to intimidation, threats, and violence for several years, but still, she refuses to give up her fight for justice.

For Sithar Chhim, it is all worth it – even though she is currently imprisoned. 

“A short period of time, or even years, in prison is a small price to pay. They can put me and other leaders in prison, but they cannot shut down our fighting spirit. If we fight, we can win this struggle and protect the rights of thousands or even millions of workers in Cambodia. That is worth fighting for. Even if we fail, that is ok. Because I cannot live and stay silent about the injustices”, she says. 

Jury’s Motivation 

“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 imprisoned.  Sithar Chhim 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 she 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.” 

About the Per Anger Prize 

The Per Anger prize is the Swedish Government’s international prize for human rights and democracy. The prize was established in 2004 in memory of the efforts of diplomat Per Anger during the Second World War, when he saved Hungarian Jews from the Holocaust. The Living History Forum has been tasked by the government to award the prize annually. 

Nine international organisations participated in the nomination work for this year’s Per Anger Prize: Afrikagrupperna, Civil Rights Defenders, Diakonia, The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, We Effect, and the Church of Sweden. 

This year’s prizewinner was nominated by Diakonia.