Stockholm - A Colombian human rights group, Organizacion Femenina Popular (OFP), on Tuesday received a Swedish human rights prize in recognition of their "contributions to humanity and the advancement of democracy."Crown Princess Victoria presented the 2007 Per Anger Prize to OFP leader Yolanda Becerra during a ceremony at the Stockholm International Fairs that hosted a two-day Swedish Forum for Human Rights.
The prize, worth 200,000 kronor (31,000 dollars) was created in 2004 in honour of Swedish diplomat Per Anger and honours "people and organizations that risk their own safety to defend the rights of the individual against oppression and inhumanity."
Anger was a close associate of Raoul Wallenberg credited with saving thousands of Hungarian Jews during World War II.
OFP, the Popular Women's Organisation, was established 1972. Initially it focused on soup kitchens, but has since offered legal assistance, health care, media, education and support to young people.
The network groups more than 3,000 women throughout Colombia.
"On many occassions OFP members have been tortured, kidnapped or killed," Per Franck, head of the government agency Living History Forum that is responsible for organizing the Per Anger prize, said.
The agency has been commissioned with promoting issues relating to tolerance, democracy and human rights.
In early November, Beccera was threatened by two armed, hooded men who entered her flat in the city of Barrancabermeja.
