The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) has expanded its efforts in pressing for the release of imprisoned Eritrean journalists with an advertisement campaign showing the face of Dawit Isaak, one of fourteen imprisoned Eritrean journalists. WAN is encouraging newspapers worldwide to publish the free advertisement.
The advertisement initiative follows a WAN board resolution that was passed during the World Newspaper Congress, held from 1 to 4 June in Goteborg, Sweden, that condemns the continued imprisonment of fourteen journalists in the country and demands for their release.
Born in Eritrea, Isaak spent time in Sweden between spasms of violence and war in his home country and eventually received Swedish citizenship in 1992. Isaak, along with the majority of the other thirteen journalists, was jailed following a government crackdown in 2001 that saw the closure of all independent media outlets and the suspension of civil and political liberties in Eritrea.
Even after seven years in prison, many of the journalists have never been formally charged. Eritrean law stipulates that an individual cannot be detained without charges for more than 30 days.
The journalists are being held in undisclosed locations and their families and lawyers are not allowed to visit them. According to reports, many of them suffer from health problems due to the horrendous living conditions in prison.
The other journalists currently in prison are: Said Abdulkadir, Yosuf Mohamed Ali, Saleh Al Jezaeri, Amanuel Asrat, Temesgen Gebreyesus, Mattewos Habteab, Dawit Habtemichael, Medhanie Haile, Zemenefes Haile, Ghebrehiwet Keleta, Hamid Mohamed Said, Seyoum Tsehaye and Selamyinghes Beyene.
Relatives of the imprisoned journalists are reportedly subject to harassment and reprisals, even those living abroad; there are reports that some relatives have also been imprisoned simply because of their family ties.
The detention of these journalists constitutes a clear breach of their right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by numerous international conventions, including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Furthermore, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights considers that "detention, as punishment for the peaceful expression of an opinion, is one of the most reprehensible ways to enjoin silence and, as a consequence, a grave violation of human rights."
The World Association of Newspapers calls for the immediate release of the fourteen imprisoned journalists and for President Issayas Afewerki to restore all civil and political liberties in Eritrea, including freedom of the press and access to information.
The advert is available in three formats: magazine, broadsheet or tabloid. To download the advert, please click on the icon.
