In brief
The Edelstam Foundation awards Dawit Isaak, a journalist imprisoned in Eritrea for over two decades, with a human rights prize recognizing his unwavering commitment to freedom of expression, while advocates call for his release.
Dawit Isaak, a journalist who has been imprisoned in Eritrea without trial for an astonishing 23 years, has been honored with the prestigious Edelstam Prize, awarded by the Edelstam Foundation. The accolade recognizes his extraordinary dedication to the principles of freedom of expression and human rights. Dawit, who holds both Eritrean and Swedish citizenship, was one of the founding members of Setit, Eritrea’s first independent newspaper. He was arrested in 2001 following the publication of letters that called for democratic reforms—a move that sparked a widespread government crackdown on dissent.Since his arrest, Dawit has been part of a larger group of detainees, including cabinet ministers and independent journalists, who were swept up in the government's purge. The Eritrean government has been tight-lipped about his condition or whereabouts, with many of his fellow prisoners now presumed dead. The Edelstam Prize is set to be awarded on November 19 in Stockholm, where Betlehem Isaak, Dawit’s daughter, will accept the honor on his behalf.Caroline Edelstam, chair of the Edelstam Prize jury, emphasized that Dawit is the longest-serving detained journalist globally and expressed profound concern for his health and status—a situation described as an enforced disappearance. “He is not charged with a crime, denied essential legal rights, and has not been allowed contact with his family," she stated, underscoring how his plight illustrates the dire state of freedom of expression in Eritrea.The Edelstam Foundation has issued a call to action, urging Eritrean authorities to disclose information about Dawit's location and allow him legal representation. The foundation aims to draw international attention and support for the case, highlighting the systematic repression of media within Eritrea, which has been devoid of a private press since 2001.Dawit Isaak’s commitment to journalistic integrity has been unwavering since he fled to Sweden in the late 1980s during Eritrea’s war of independence, only to return after the nation gained its independence in 1993. Despite this, Eritrea has not held elections since achieving independence, with President Isaias Afwerki firmly in power for nearly 31 years.As the world prepares to honor Isaak with the Edelstam Prize, his case serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing fight for human rights and freedom of expression in repressive regimes.
