FairPlanet.Support
| tags: | #Afeworki, #Dawit Isaak, #Eritrea, #free press, #human rights, #independent journalism, #Reporters without Borders, #Sweden |
|---|---|
| located: | Eritrea, Sweden |
| by: | Deniz Zehra Tavli |
Dawit Isaak, a Swedish-Eritrean journalist, is imprisoned since September 2001 due to his engagement for independent journalism and free press in his country. Together with 11 of his colleagues he fell victim to an order of Eritrean President Afeworki who demanded the detention of politically engaged journalists and a shut down of all independent media outlets in the country.
In the course of the years, the NGO Reporters Without Borders reveived informations that seven of the detained journalists have died in prison. Dawit Isaak still seems to be alive. The most recent proof of life was the 2010 account of a former prison guard, who described Isaak as being kept handcuffed, isolated and exposed to terrible heat. Not one of the detained journalists has been brought before a judge or had access to a lawyer. Dawit Isaak's case is internationally observed by several NGOs like Amnesty International. The Swedish support group “Free Dawit Isaak” works for his release via advocacy methods such as public manifestoes, appearing at meetings or events where his case can be recognized and acted upon.
Action is urgently needed so that Dawit Isaak and all the other journalists detained in Eritrea can be freed. Sign the letter to President Afeworki! Share and spread the news via hashtag #freedawit in your circles and help preventing the death of a truly engaged fighter for democratic values and human rights!
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