Eritrea Must Respect Media Freedom

Public Statement

EHAHRD-Net Index: ERIT 025/002/2007 (Public)

18th September 2007

Human rights defenders from the East and Horn of Africa have today joined thousands of other human rights advocates across the region in denouncing the Eritrean Government’s continued detention of over ten journalists and the suffocation of any form of independent media in the country.

Today is exactly six years since the Government of President Isaias Afewerki launched an “all out war” against the media by arresting several journalists and forcing others into exile. Since then, Africa’s youngest country Eritrea, has enlisted itself among the continent’s contemporary dictatorships.

EHAHRDP is informed that at least twelve journalists are being held in different prisons located across the country. They are; Dawit Isaac, Fessehaye “Joshua” Yohannes, Yusuf Mohamed Ali, Mattewos Habteab, Dawit Habtemichael, Medhanie Haile, Temesgen Gebreyesus, Emanuel Asrat, Said Abdulkader, Seyoum Tsehaye, Hamid Mohamed Said and Saleh Al Jezaeeri. Another journalist Johnny Hisabu formerly working with State-owned Eri-TV was recently reported missing while Eyob Kessete formerly working with the Amharic-language service of the public radio station Dimtsi Hafash was also said to have been arrested. Unconfirmed reports further say that some of the arrested journalists have so far died in their prison cells.

“The entire human rights defenders fraternity in the sub-region are dismayed by the Eritrean Government’s reluctance to respect media freedom, as well as failure to offer the accused a fair hearing, which they are entitled to according to regionally and internationally recognised human rights. The media, widely considered as the fourth arm of any government, is essential in effecting checks and balances, which are a prerequisite for democratic governance. As such, this continued harassment of the media in Eritrea is simply unacceptable,” says Hassan Shire Sheikh, Chairperson EHAHRDP/Net.

APPEAL:

• EHAHRD-Net appeals to the Eritrean government to immediately and unconditionally release the journalists under detention or accord them a fair hearing of their case.
• Aware that international law principles worldwide hold the view that the lawfulness and necessity of holding someone in custody must be determined by a court or any other appropriate judicial authority in view of mitigating factors, the decision to keep these journalists in detention for six years without trial is totally uncalled for.
• The Network further appeals to the Eritrean Government to allow the detained journalists access to their relatives and lawyers as a way of fostering transparency in their case. The government must keep in mind that in attempting to punish the journalists for whatever charges they have labelled against them, their families too that depended on them are equally being hurt. President Afewerki’s Government cannot afford to push such misery into another year.

The entire human rights defenders’ fraternity in the East and Horn of Africa, representing over 220 Million people in the sub-region, appeal to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights through its African Court mechanism, and the United Nations, to rise up and take action against such continued ill-treatment of journalists.

Action requested: All Network members are urged to write to the Eritrean authorities calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the journalists under arrest. Please send a copy of the appeal to the Eritrean Ambassador or Charges d’Affaires asking him/her to pass on this appeal to the Eritrean Government.

Send appeals to:

1. President

His Excellency
Isaias Afewerki
Office of the President _ PO Box 257 _ Asmara _ Telephone: +291 1 119 701 _ Fax: +291 1 125 123

2. Minister of Justice

Ms Fawzia Hashim
PO Box 241
Asmara
Telephone: +291 1 117 603/127 739
Fax: +291 1 126 422

3. Head of Security

Brigadier General Abraha Kassa
Office of the President
PO Box 257
Asmara
Telephone: +291 1 119 701
Fax: +291 1 125 123