In a remarkable recognition, Dawit Isaak, who has spent 23 years as a prisoner in Eritrea without a formal trial, has been awarded the prestigious Edelstam Prize from Sweden. A dual citizen of Eritrea and Sweden, Isaak was one of the co-founders of Setit, Eritrea's first independent newspaper, which faced closure following the government crackdown on dissent in 2001. Initially arrested alongside a group of prominent political figures and journalists, Isaak's situation marks an alarming example of human rights violations by the Eritrean government.
Eritrean Journalist Dawit Isaak Receives Human Rights Award after 23-Year Imprisonment
Eritrean Journalist Dawit Isaak Receives Human Rights Award after 23-Year Imprisonment
Dawit Isaak, a journalist imprisoned in Eritrea for over two decades, has been honored with the Edelstam Prize for his unwavering dedication to free speech.
His imprisonment began after Setit published letters advocating for democratic reform, a daring act that led to his arrest in a sweeping purge by the ruling government. The Edelstam Foundation, established to honor individuals committing extraordinary acts of bravery for human rights, announced Isaak's award, praising him for his "exceptional courage" and dedication to the principles of free expression. As his daughter, Betlehem Isaak, prepares to accept the award on his behalf in a ceremony in Stockholm on November 19, the foundation has called for urgent action from the Eritrean authorities to disclose his status and grant him legal access.
Caroline Edelstam, chair of the Edelstam Prize jury, highlighted Isaak's plight, calling him the longest-detained journalist globally. His health and whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty, with the Eritrean government failing to provide updates regarding his imprisonment. Human rights advocates express deep concern over his continued detainment without charges, viewing this as an enforced disappearance that raises alarms about his wellbeing.
As Eritrea remains the only African nation to lack a privately owned media sector—having effectively silenced independent journalism since 2001 for so-called national security reasons—Isaak's story embodies the struggle for freedom of expression in a repressive regime. His legacy continues to inspire calls for reform and greater transparency regarding human rights practices in Eritrea, where President Isaias Afwerki has held power without elections since the nation’s independence in 1993. The Edelstam Foundation urges the international community to exert pressure on Eritrean authorities to secure Dawit Isaak's release and foster improvements in human rights conditions.
Caroline Edelstam, chair of the Edelstam Prize jury, highlighted Isaak's plight, calling him the longest-detained journalist globally. His health and whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty, with the Eritrean government failing to provide updates regarding his imprisonment. Human rights advocates express deep concern over his continued detainment without charges, viewing this as an enforced disappearance that raises alarms about his wellbeing.
As Eritrea remains the only African nation to lack a privately owned media sector—having effectively silenced independent journalism since 2001 for so-called national security reasons—Isaak's story embodies the struggle for freedom of expression in a repressive regime. His legacy continues to inspire calls for reform and greater transparency regarding human rights practices in Eritrea, where President Isaias Afwerki has held power without elections since the nation’s independence in 1993. The Edelstam Foundation urges the international community to exert pressure on Eritrean authorities to secure Dawit Isaak's release and foster improvements in human rights conditions.
