Eritrea

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Campaigns and Advocacy

14 November 2011

Thirty-one IFEX members call on authorities to disclose whereabouts of journalist Dawit Isaak

After hearing rumours of the death of Dawit Isaak, an Swedish-Eritrean journalist held without charge for ten years, 31 members of IFEX are asking President Isaias Afewerki to confirm that he is still alive and if so, to release him from prison.
20 September 2011

No one can continue to ignore the regime's brutality, says RSF

RSF has launched an international ad campaign marking the 10th anniversary of the round-ups of journalists and closure of all the privately-owned print media.

See all campaign news: Eritrea



From the Communiqué

27 October 2010

Detained Eritrean journalist is 2011 Golden Pen of Freedom Laureate

Dawit Isaak, a founder of Eritrea's first independent newspaper who has been detained incommunicado for the past nine years without charge or trial, has won the 2011 Golden Pen of Freedom, the annual prize of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). He turned 46 on 27 October. Sign a petition for his release.
22 September 2010

Oppressive silence surrounds imprisoned journalists

Eritrean journalist Eyob Kessete was arrested this past summer as he attempted to flee Eritrea and cross the border into Ethiopia. His detention on the eve of the ninth anniversary of a vicious political purge of dissident voices in Asmara in September 2001 is part of a continuing pattern of terror, reports Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
23 September 2009

Abysmal ranking as world's worst place for journalists

Eritrea ranks last place on the latest Reporters Without Borders (RSF) index measuring the level of press freedom in 173 countries. Privately owned press have been banished by the authoritarian President Issaias Afeworki since 2001, and the few journalists who dare to criticise the regime are thrown in prison, says RSF. Four journalists have died in detention and, currently, at least 30 journalists and two media workers are believed to be in prison without trial.

See all articles: Eritrea



Reports

23 September 2011

Human Rights Watch releases briefing paper on missing political prisoners

The fate of 21 senior government members and journalists who criticised President Isaias Afewerki is still unknown 10 years after they were arrested.
22 January 2009

World Report 2009: Eritrea




See all reports: Eritrea

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Take action!

Demand freedom for Dawit Isaak Twenty-third September marks 10 years since the Swedish-Eritrean journalist and writer Dawit Isaak was imprisoned in Eritrea. His crime? He worked for an independent newspaper that reported on demands for democratic reforms. There has never been a trial, a charge or a sentence against him. IFEX members and supporters are asking that you take part in a week of action to demand his freedom.
14 September 2011

Alerts

RSF concerned over fate of Dawit Isaac 3 November 2011 Journalists face threats in covering Dawit Isaac's imprisonment 27 September 2011 Prominent journalist arrested, ex-prison guard reveals fate of other detained journalists 13 May 2010 One year after her arrest, Radio Bana journalist being held in solitary confinement 19 February 2010 Journalist Dawit Isaak still in prison after more than eight years 11 December 2009 Eritrea now shares title of world's biggest prison for journalists with China, Iran, says RSF 23 September 2009 RSF calls on European Union to suspend development aid in light of fresh crackdown on journalists 6 March 2009 IPI calls for release of journalists detained for years without due process 20 February 2009 Journalist Dawit Isaak held without trial for almost eight years, believed to be seriously ill 4 February 2009 On 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, many journalists still detained without charges, says ARTICLE 19 11 December 2008 State TV journalist secretly sentenced to five years of forced labour in 2006 30 October 2008 RSF urges European Union to shake off lethargy after seven years of silence since September 2001 crackdown 19 September 2008 Journalist employed by state-owned radio station held since 2006 25 April 2008 New revelations about Eiraeiro prison camp; journalist Seyoum Tsehaye held in hellish conditions 31 January 2008 RSF urges democratic governments to summon Eritrean ambassadors on anniversary of 18 September 2001 crackdown 17 September 2007 State TV editor goes missing while trying to flee across border into Ethiopia 13 August 2007 IPI concerned about ongoing detention of journalists, calls on aid donors to do more for human rights and press freedom 12 July 2007 Journalist, one of nine arrested in November 2006, dies in attempt to flee to Sudan 6 July 2007 Woman journalist employed by state TV held in military camp 27 June 2007 Public radio journalist arrested as he tries to flee across border 7 June 2007 RSF urges Eritrean diaspora to intercede on behalf of imprisoned journalists on 2,000th day since "Black Tuesday" 9 March 2007 Three public media journalists released from detention but kept under surveillance 23 February 2007 Writer and journalist Fessehaye Yohannes has reportedly died in detention 8 February 2007 Closure of Eritrean radio station Al-Sharq, broadcasting from Sudan; one journalist released, eight still held in police-run "Agip" centre in Asmara 1 December 2006 At least nine journalists arrested in new round-up by security services 22 November 2006 See all alerts: Eritrea
 
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