Embassy of Eritrea Date: ________ Dear President Issaias Afeworki: I _____________ join with Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression around the world, in calling on your government to account for the fate of four journalists whose deaths have been reported and to release, immediately and unconditionally, all remaining journalists currently behind bars. According to our information, Setit journalist Fessehaye "Joshua" Yohannes has died in detention. He reportedly succumbed to the extremely harsh conditions in which he had been held since his arrest in September 2001. The deaths of three other independent journalists have also been reported: Medhane Haile (editor-in-chief, Keste Debena ), Said Abdelkader (writer and editor, Admas , and owner of the press that printed most of the independent newspapers) and Yusuf Mohamed Ali (editor-in-chief, Tsigenay). More recently, ten state media journalists were detained in a wave of arrests that began on November 12, 2006, following the defection of several leading journalists. They were arrested on suspicion of maintaining contact with the fugitives or of trying to flee. Several of them remain in detention, although we are unsure of the exact number. I am seriously concerned by the news of the reported deaths of Fessehaye Yohannes, Medhanie Haile, Said Abdelkader and Yusuf Mohamed Ali. I call on you to prove that these journalists did not die; or, that if they did, that their bodies be released to their families so that they can be provided with a proper burial. I ask that all other journalists in prison be released immediately and unconditionally. While they remain behind bars, I demand that they be treated humanely, have regular access to food and to medical care and receive visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross. I look forward to your reply. Yours truly, __________________ |