Dawit Isaak, a journalist who has spent 23 years in detention without trial in Eritrea, has been awarded the esteemed Edelstam Prize for his unwavering commitment to freedom of expression. Isaak, who holds both Eritrean and Swedish citizenship, co-founded Setit, Eritrea’s first independent newspaper, and has endured prolonged imprisonment since 2001 after his paper published articles advocating for democratic reform.
The Edelstam Foundation, which grants the award to individuals who demonstrate exceptional courage in defending human rights, praised Isaak’s determination and resilience. Caroline Edelstam, chair of the prize jury, emphasized Isaak’s “tireless courage,” calling his situation an “enforced disappearance,” as he has been denied access to family, legal representation, and consular assistance.
Isaak was among a group of journalists, senior ministers, and MPs detained during a government crackdown that year, and no information has since been disclosed by Eritrean authorities regarding his condition or location. Many of his fellow detainees are presumed to have passed away in custody.
The Edelstam Prize, named in memory of Swedish diplomat Harald Edelstam, will be awarded in a ceremony in Stockholm on November 19. Isaak’s daughter, Betlehem, will accept the honor on his behalf.
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Throughout his career, Isaak used his platform at Setit to call for democratic reforms, a stance that ultimately led to his arrest and years of detention under severe conditions. His case underscores Eritrea’s broader repression of independent journalism. Eritrea remains the only African country without private media, having shut down its independent press in 2001 under the pretext of “national security.” The nation has also gone without elections since its independence in 1993, with President Isaias Afwerki in power for over three decades.
The Edelstam Foundation has issued a renewed appeal to the Eritrean government to disclose Isaak’s whereabouts and allow him to have legal representation. They have also urged the international community to apply diplomatic pressure on Eritrea to demand Isaak’s release and to advocate for broader human rights reforms within the country.
