1 February 2002

Alert

RSF calls on Parliament to seek imprisoned journalists' release


Incident details

Emanuel Asrat, Seyoum Fsehaye, Zemenfes Haile, Selamyinghes Beyene, Simret Seyoum, Aaron Berhane, Said Abdulkader, Ghebrehiwet Keleta, Yusuf Mohamed Ali, Mattewos Habteab, Dawit Isaac, Tsehaye Yohannes, Medhanie Haile, Temesgen Gebreyesus

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(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on members of the Eritrean parliament to ask for the immediate release of all journalists languishing in jail in Eritrea. "Parliamentarians today have an opportunity to show goodwill and their commitment to press freedom. They must take a firm approach vis-à-vis the executive and call for their release," stated RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. "We recall that Eritrea has become the only country in the entire African continent without a single independent publication," he added.


On 29 January 2002, Eritrea's National Assembly opened its first session since 2000. Parliamentarians are set to tackle the issues of jailed political dissidents and the country's independent press. RSF recalled that on 18 September 2001, independent newspapers announced that further to a government order, they were publishing their final issue until further notice. The head of national television then went on the air to explain that "independent media have had time to correct their mistakes. They have been jeopardising national unity." Since then, no independent newspapers have been published.

At the time, eight journalists were arrested and detained at Police Station no. 1 in Asmara. They include "Tsigenay" editor-in-chief Yusuf Mohamed Ali, who was previously detained for several weeks in October 2000 (see IFEX alert of 26 October 2000), "Meqaleh" editor-in-chief Mattewos Habteab, previously arrested several times in recent months, "Setit" journalists Dawit Isaac and Tsehaye Yohannes, "Keste Debena" assistant editor-in-chief Medhanie Haile and Temesgen Gebreyesus, a member of the newspaper's board of directors, Emanuel Asrat, from "Zemen", and independent photographer Seyoum Fsehaye.

RSF still has no news of six other journalists, including former publication director and founder of "Tsigenay" newspaper Zemenfes Haile, "Meqaleh" reporter Selamyinghes Beyene, "Setit" editor Simret Seyoum and editor-in-chief Aaron Berhane, "Admas" editor-in-chief Said Abdulkader and "Tsigenay" journalist Ghebrehiwet Keleta. They are believed to have either been imprisoned or to have gone into hiding to escape arrest.




Source:

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
47, rue Vivienne
75002 Paris
France
rsf (@) rsf.org
Phone: +33 1 44 83 84 84
Fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51
@rsf_rwb
 

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Updates to this story

Thirty-one IFEX members call on authorities to disclose whereabouts of journalist Dawit Isaak 14 November 2011 RSF concerned over fate of Dawit Isaac 3 November 2011 Journalists face threats in covering Dawit Isaac's imprisonment 27 September 2011 Demand freedom for Dawit Isaak 14 September 2011 Detained journalist's brother and RSF tell Sweden and EU they are legally bound to actively seek his release 18 October 2010 Journalists still hunted down nine years after September 2001 purges 21 September 2010 Journalist Dawit Isaak still in prison after more than eight years 11 December 2009 Journalist Dawit Isaak held without trial for almost eight years, believed to be seriously ill 4 February 2009 RSF urges democratic governments to summon Eritrean ambassadors on anniversary of 18 September 2001 crackdown 17 September 2007 RSF urges Eritrean diaspora to intercede on behalf of imprisoned journalists on 2,000th day since "Black Tuesday" 9 March 2007 Freed journalist sent back to jail 6 December 2005 IFJ urges government to allow released journalist to leave country, free others held since 2001 clampdown 22 November 2005 Journalist freed without charge after four years in jail 22 November 2005

More on this case

CPJ confirms that four more journalists are in prison 20 September 2002 18 journalists still in jail one year after ban on independent media 19 September 2002 CPJ confirms detention of fourteenth journalist 7 August 2002 Government admits holding journalists in secret detention 2 August 2002 IPI condemns government's inhumane treatment of independent journalists 8 April 2002 WiPC expresses concern over imprisoned journalists on hunger strike 5 April 2002 Jailed journalists on hunger strike to protest their detention 4 April 2002 RSF meets with Eritrean ambassador in Paris 28 September 2001 Nine journalists arrested; two flee as major crackdown continues 26 September 2001 Escalating crackdown in Eritrea: reformists, journalists, students at risk 21 September 2001 Newspapers suspended in effort to stifle public criticism of the government, says CPJ 20 September 2001 Government shuts down all private newspapers 20 September 2001

Eritrea

Detained journalist admitted to hospital in serious condition 10 April 2012 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 See all alerts: Eritrea


 
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