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| World's longest detained journalist wins rights prize | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Dawit Isaak, in prison since 2001, helped start an independent newspaper in Eritrea | |
| A journalist detained in Eritrean prison without trial for 23 years has won a Swedish human rights prize for his commitment to freedom of expression. | A journalist detained in Eritrean prison without trial for 23 years has won a Swedish human rights prize for his commitment to freedom of expression. |
| Dawit Isaak, who holds dual Eritrean-Swedish citizenship, was given the Edelstam Prize "for his... exceptional courage", the foundation behind the award said in a statement., external | Dawit Isaak, who holds dual Eritrean-Swedish citizenship, was given the Edelstam Prize "for his... exceptional courage", the foundation behind the award said in a statement., external |
| Dawit, who holds dual Eritrean-Swedish citizenship, was one of the founders of Setit, Eritrea's first independent newspaper. | Dawit, who holds dual Eritrean-Swedish citizenship, was one of the founders of Setit, Eritrea's first independent newspaper. |
| He was detained in 2001 after his paper published letters demanding democratic reforms. | He was detained in 2001 after his paper published letters demanding democratic reforms. |
| Dawit was among a group of about two dozen individuals, including senior cabinet ministers, members of parliament and independent journalists, arrested in a government purge. | Dawit was among a group of about two dozen individuals, including senior cabinet ministers, members of parliament and independent journalists, arrested in a government purge. |
| Over the years, the Eritrean government has provided no information on his whereabouts or health, and many who were jailed alongside him are presumed dead. | Over the years, the Eritrean government has provided no information on his whereabouts or health, and many who were jailed alongside him are presumed dead. |
| The Edelstam Prize, awarded for exceptional courage in defending human rights, will be presented on 19 November in Stockholm. | The Edelstam Prize, awarded for exceptional courage in defending human rights, will be presented on 19 November in Stockholm. |
| Dawit's daughter, Betlehem Isaak, will accept the prize on his behalf as he remains imprisoned in Eritrea. | Dawit's daughter, Betlehem Isaak, will accept the prize on his behalf as he remains imprisoned in Eritrea. |
| His work with the Setit included criticism of the government and calls for democratic reform and free expression, actions that led to his arrest in a crackdown on dissent. | His work with the Setit included criticism of the government and calls for democratic reform and free expression, actions that led to his arrest in a crackdown on dissent. |
| The Edelstam Foundation has called for Dawit's release, urging the Eritrean authorities to disclose his location and allow him legal representation. | The Edelstam Foundation has called for Dawit's release, urging the Eritrean authorities to disclose his location and allow him legal representation. |
| "Dawit Isaak is the longest detained journalist in the world. We are very concerned about his health and his whereabouts are unknown, he is not charged with a crime, and he has been denied access to his family, consular assistance, and the right to legal counsel – effectively, it is an enforced disappearance," said Caroline Edelstam, the chair of the Edelstam Prize jury. | "Dawit Isaak is the longest detained journalist in the world. We are very concerned about his health and his whereabouts are unknown, he is not charged with a crime, and he has been denied access to his family, consular assistance, and the right to legal counsel – effectively, it is an enforced disappearance," said Caroline Edelstam, the chair of the Edelstam Prize jury. |
| His "indefatigable courage stands as a testament to the principle of freedom of expression." | His "indefatigable courage stands as a testament to the principle of freedom of expression." |
| The Edelstam Foundation also urged the international community to pressure Eritrea for Dawit's release and to advocate for human rights reforms. | The Edelstam Foundation also urged the international community to pressure Eritrea for Dawit's release and to advocate for human rights reforms. |
| The Edelstam Prize honours individuals who show exceptional bravery in defending human rights, in memory of Swedish diplomat Harald Edelstam. | The Edelstam Prize honours individuals who show exceptional bravery in defending human rights, in memory of Swedish diplomat Harald Edelstam. |
| Eritrea is the only African country without privately owned media, having shut down its private press in 2001 under the pretext of "national security". | Eritrea is the only African country without privately owned media, having shut down its private press in 2001 under the pretext of "national security". |
| Dawit, who fled to Sweden in 1987 during Eritrea’s war for independence, returned after the country gained independence in 1993 after becoming a Swedish citizen. | Dawit, who fled to Sweden in 1987 during Eritrea’s war for independence, returned after the country gained independence in 1993 after becoming a Swedish citizen. |
| There have been no elections in Eritrea since its independence, and President Isaias Afwerki has held power for nearly 31 years. | There have been no elections in Eritrea since its independence, and President Isaias Afwerki has held power for nearly 31 years. |
| You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
| Eritrean Press: Reporting on Africa's most secretive state | Eritrean Press: Reporting on Africa's most secretive state |
| Eritrea viewpoint: I fought for independence but I'm still waiting for freedom | Eritrea viewpoint: I fought for independence but I'm still waiting for freedom |
| Eritrea media guide | Eritrea media guide |
| Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent. |
| Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external |