In brief
Dawit Isaak, a journalist held unlawfully in Eritrean prison for over two decades, has been honored with the Edelstam Prize for his unwavering dedication to free expression and human rights, as his daughter prepares to accept the award on his behalf.
Dawit Isaak, a dual Eritrean-Swedish citizen, has been imprisoned in Eritrea for 23 years without trial, and his commitment to freedom of expression has now earned him the prestigious Edelstam Prize from a Swedish foundation advocating for human rights. The award recognizes his exceptional courage as a journalist and an advocate for democratic reforms in Eritrea, where such dissent is severely oppressed.Isaak was a pivotal figure in Eritrea’s media landscape as a co-founder of Setit, the nation’s first independent newspaper, which was shut down following its publication of letters calling for political change. His arrest in 2001 coincided with a widespread crackdown on dissent, leading to the imprisonment of dozens of journalists and political figures, with many reported missing or presumed dead.The Edelstam Prize will be awarded on November 19 in Stockholm, where Dawit’s daughter, Betlehem Isaak, will accept the honor on his behalf, as he remains detained without formal charges or a known trial date. The Edelstam Foundation has strongly condemned the Eritrean government’s silence on his situation and has called for his immediate release, demanding transparency and legal rights for all imprisoned individuals."His indefinite detention exemplifies an enforced disappearance,” said Caroline Edelstam, chair of the prize jury, expressing grave concern over Dawit’s health and lack of access to family or legal counsel. The foundation seeks increased pressure on the Eritrean authorities from the international community to support human rights reforms and advocate for journalists like Isaak, who bravely champion freedom of speech against oppressive regimes.Eritrea stands out on the African continent as the only nation devoid of privately owned media, having eliminated all independent press under the guise of national security in 2001. Since gaining independence in 1993, the country hasn’t held any elections, and President Isaias Afwerki remains in power, further highlighting the significant struggles faced by advocates like Isaak who aim for political and social progress.
