In brief
Dawit Isaak, a journalist imprisoned in Eritrea for over two decades, has been awarded the Edelstam Prize for his remarkable courage in advocating for human rights.
Dawit Isaak, a dual Eritrean-Swedish citizen, has been imprisoned without trial for 23 years, earning him the title of the world's longest-detained journalist. He was recognized with the prestigious Edelstam Prize for his bravery in fighting for freedom of expression while being held in an Eritrean prison. The award is scheduled to be presented on November 19 in Stockholm, with his daughter, Betlehem Isaak, accepting on his behalf.Dawit co-founded Eritrea's first independent newspaper, Setit, and was arrested in 2001 after publishing articles favoring democratic reforms. His detention has been part of a wider crackdown on dissent, resulting in the arrest of about two dozen individuals, including government officials and journalists. The Eritrean government has remained silent about his condition and whereabouts, raising fears for his health and safety. Caroline Edelstam, chair of the Edelstam Prize jury, emphasized the significance of Dawit’s courage, calling for international pressure on Eritrea to secure his release and promote human rights reforms. The award, named in honor of Swedish diplomat Harald Edelstam, celebrates individuals who courageously defend human rights. Eritrea remains the only African nation without a free press, having banned private media in the name of "national security" since 2001.
