Dawit Isaak has been imprisoned for 25 years
September 23 is a sad date for Sweden and for press freedom in the world. It marks the fact that the Swedish-Eritrean journalist Dawit Isaak has been imprisoned in Eritrea for 25 years without trial.
Dawit Isaak was arrested in September 2001 after working as a journalist for the newspaper Setit. He was arrested along with several other journalists and politicians in a wave of arrests. Since then, he has been kept isolated from the outside world, and his family has not been allowed to see him for over two decades.
The case has for many years been a central issue for Swedish authorities and human rights organizations. Despite repeated demands for his release from both the Swedish government and the international community, Eritrea has refused to release him or provide information about his state of health.
Now, voices are once again being raised that the Swedish government must do more to set Dawit Isaak free. Many argue that 25 years is far too long and that Sweden must use every diplomatic opportunity available to put pressure on Eritrea.
The fight for Dawit Isaak's freedom continues to be a reminder of the importance of freedom of speech and human rights. The issue remains one of the most protracted and difficult diplomatic challenges in modern Swedish history.