Issue 253

Kampala, Uganda, November 23, 2006 – As if the continued detention of 16 journalists in Eritrea since half a decade ago is not enough harm to the freedom of the media; the latest information received by the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network indicates that at least nine other journalists have been imprisoned with no explanation for their arrest

The Network has learnt from its members that the following journalists among others, were arrested on November 12th 2006; Ahmed Baja of Eri-TV, Senait Tesfay of Eri-TV's Tigrinya-language Service, Paulos Kidane of Eri-TV's Amharic-language Service and Radio Dimtsi Hafash (Voice of the Broad Masses), Daniel Mussie of Radio Dimtsi Hafash's Oromo-language service, Temesghen Abay of Radio Dimtsi Hafash's Tigrinya-language service, Yemane Haile of the Eritrean News Agency (ENA), Fethia (surname unknown) of Eri-TV's Arabic-language service, Simon (surname unknown) of Eri-TV and an unidentified journalist working for Eri-TV's Arabic-language service.

The arrest of the above-mentioned journalists comes hardly three weeks since the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network petitioned the Eritrean President Issayas Afewerki over the continued infringement on media freedom in the country. The Network at the time renewed its call on the President to observe media freedom as provided for by international human rights instruments to which it is signatory. “It is therefore a great shame that the Eritrean government has adamantly failed to heed international advice to save its image by renewing democratic principles. The media is a central component of any democratic society and therefore this continued arrest of journalists has set a very bad precedent for Eritrea and is highly condemned,” says Hassan Shire Sheikh, Chairperson of EHAHRDP/Net.

The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network once again calls upon the Eritrean government to:

Immediately and unconditionally release all journalists under detention including those arrested way back in 2001, or ensure that they are accorded a fair judgment in whatever case they are accused of;

Re-open media channels as a way of facilitating the checks and balances necessary for democratic governance;

Observe media freedom legislation as provided for by national, regional and international human rights instruments to which Eritrea is signatory.

We call upon all Network members to come up strongly and condemn the behaviour of the Eritrean government towards the media.