Silenced Voice of Dawit Isaak

Mr. Dawit Isaak is the longest-held journalist imprisoned in Africa. He has been detained since September 2001, making it over 23 years without a trial or formal charges from the Eritrean government.

Dawit Isaak is a Swedish-Eritrean journalist, writer, and activist unfortunately best known for his long-term imprisonment in Eritrea, located on the Horn of Africa. 

He was detained by the Eritrean government without trial. According to his supporters he was arrested due to his work as a journalist advocating for democracy and freedom of expression. 

But to his detractors, he is known as a traitor to the Eritrean government by amplifying dissenting voices, Isaak was seen as challenging the regime and undermining national unity, which the government equates with loyalty.

Dawit Isaak was born on October 27, 1964, in Asmara, Eritrea. In the 1980s, he fled the Eritrean War of Independence and sought asylum in Sweden, where he became a citizen in 1992.

After Eritrea gained independence in 1993, Isaak returned to contribute to his country’s development. He worked as a journalist and became a part-owner of the newspaper Setit. Setit, named after a river in Eritrea, was the country’s first independent newspaper.

In 1997, Eritrea drafted its first constitution, promising democratic reforms and freedom of the press. However, it is never implemented.

The Eritrean–Ethiopian War, 1998-2000 concludes, leading to increased internal political tension within Eritrea.

In 2001, the G-15, a group of concerned Eritrean officials and reformists, openly criticizes the lack of democratic progress and calls for government reforms.

On September 18, 2001 the Eritrean government shuts down all independent media outlets, including Setit. Dawit Isaak and several other journalists and members of the G-15 are arrested in a sweeping crackdown.

Isaak is accused of supporting anti-government sentiments and calling for democratic reforms. He is detained without trial for over two years.

On November 19, 2002 Isaak is briefly released for medical reasons but is re-arrested two days later. His health condition raises international concerns.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and other organizations advocate for his release, but the Eritrean government maintains its silence.

In 2009 the Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki states that Eritrea has no intention of releasing Isaak, considering him a traitor. International pressure intensifies as Sweden and the European Union call for Isaak’s release. Eritrean officials remain unresponsive.

In 2017, Swedish legal teams attempt to take Eritrean authorities to court under international human rights law, but the lack of access and response from Eritrea halts efforts.

As of now, Dawit Isaak remains in detention, and his current status and health condition are unknown. The Eritrean government has not provided any official information or conducted a public trial.