Journalist Dawit Isaak, who has been held in an Eritrean prison without trial for over two decades, has been awarded the Edelstam Prize for his courageous dedication to freedom of expression.
Isaak, a Swedish-Eritrean citizen and co-founder of Eritrea’s first independent newspaper, Setit, was detained in 2001 after his publication called for democratic reforms.
Isaak was among approximately two dozen people, including high-ranking government officials and fellow journalists, arrested in a sweeping crackdown on dissent. Since his detention, the Eritrean government has disclosed no details about his health or whereabouts, with many of those detained alongside him presumed dead.
The Edelstam Foundation announced Isaak’s selection for the award, which honors individuals demonstrating remarkable bravery in the defense of human rights. “Dawit Isaak is the longest-detained journalist globally, held without charges and denied access to his family, consular support, or legal counsel,” said Caroline Edelstam, chair of the Edelstam Prize jury. She expressed grave concern for his wellbeing, noting that his continued detention amounts to enforced disappearance.
Isaak’s daughter, Betlehem Isaak, will accept the award on his behalf at the ceremony scheduled for November 19 in Stockholm. The Edelstam Foundation has also called on Eritrean authorities to reveal Isaak’s location and allow him access to legal representation, urging the international community to pressure Eritrea for his release and push for human rights reforms in the country.
Eritrea, where privately owned media has been banned since 2001 under the guise of “national security,” remains one of the world’s most repressive states. Dawit Isaak initially fled to Sweden in 1987 during Eritrea’s independence struggle but returned to his homeland after it gained independence in 1993. Eritrea has since been governed without elections, with President Isaias Afwerki holding power for nearly 31 years.
The Edelstam Prize is named in honor of Swedish diplomat Harald Edelstam and celebrates individuals who display extraordinary courage in defending human rights worldwide.
