‘I stand before you humble and a little sad that it is I who is here to receive this Special Award for Human Rights’, said Shui Meng Ng, wife of Sombath Somphone upon accepting the 2015 Gwangju Special Award for Human Rights in Gwangju, South Korea last Monday on the 18th May. Unfortunately, circumstances do not allow it.’The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights was established in 2000 to promote the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising. Every year, May 18 is commemorated with ceremonies and festivities, including the Gwangju Asia Forum and the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. In 2011 the Gwangju Special Award for Human Rights was added, which is awarded every two years to one individual or organization who works for the improvement of human rights in the fields of journalism, culture, literature or others. The 2015 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee explained that they hoped the Special Award would contribute to raise awareness about Sombath’s disappearance and help bring him back to his family as soon as possible.