Dawit Isaak, an Eritrean-Swedish journalist who has been detained without trial in Eritrea for 23 years, has received the Edelstam Prize, a Swedish human rights award, recognizing his dedication to freedom of expression.
The Edelstam Foundation, which administers the award, praised Isaak’s “exceptional courage” and called for his immediate release.
A co-founder of Eritrea’s first independent newspaper, Setit, Isaak was arrested in 2001 after his publication ran letters advocating democratic reforms. His arrest came during a sweeping government crackdown on dissent that targeted nearly two dozen individuals, including senior government officials, members of parliament, and independent journalists. Since then, Eritrean authorities have disclosed no information about Isaak’s condition or location. Many of those detained alongside him are presumed dead.
Caroline Edelstam, chair of the Edelstam Prize jury, emphasized the urgency of Isaak’s case, noting that he is “the longest-detained journalist in the world” and highlighting the enforced disappearance that has kept him without charges, family contact, or access to legal representation. The Edelstam Foundation is urging the international community to apply pressure on the Eritrean government for Isaak’s release.
The Edelstam Prize will be awarded on November 19 in Stockholm, with Isaak’s daughter, Betlehem Isaak, accepting the prize on his behalf. The Edelstam Prize commemorates Swedish diplomat Harald Edelstam and honors individuals who show remarkable bravery in the defense of human rights.
Eritrea, ruled by President Isaias Afwerki for nearly 31 years, has banned all privately owned media since 2001, citing national security concerns
