Africa jailed 52 journalists, most in Eritrea – CPJ
December 11, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) — There are currently 52 journalists imprisoned in Africa, according to an international press freedom watchdog report, however with more than half of these being jailed in Eritrea. In its annual
December 11, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) — There are currently 52 journalists imprisoned in Africa, according to an international press freedom watchdog report, however with more than half of these being jailed in Eritrea.
In its annual special report released last week, the New York based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) revealed that there are currently 28 journalists imprisoned in Eritrea, making the Red Sea nation the second most jailer country globally after Iran which leads the list for the second consecutive year with 42 journalists in prison.
“While it is very difficult to obtain details from Eritrea, CPJ continues to gather information on the imprisoned from journalists who have recently escaped the country,” the report said.
“It is an abomination that of 28 journalists imprisoned in Eritrea, not a single one has ever been publicly charged with a crime,” said CPJ Executive Director, Joel Simon, further urging on Eritrean authorities to release these journalists who some still remain locked away since the country launched a crackdown on free and independent media in September 2001.
Asmara’s motivation in imprisoning journalists is unknown in most cases. However, the group said they found an environment in which state media journalists are under the absolute control of Information Ministry.
In neighboring Ethiopia, seven journalists are currently behind bars.
The press freedom campaigner group says Ethiopia has seen the highest exodus of journalists over the last decade and the number of journalists jailed would have now been even higher if so many journalists hadn’t chosen to flee their native country.
Since 2001, some 79 Ethiopian journalists have fled home in protest to growing crackdown on critical voices, according to CPJ research.
Ethiopian authorities however dismiss such allegations and argue many of the journalists were not jailed for their journalistic work but for acts against constitution such as to involvement in terror plot mainly backed by arch-foe Eritrea or for providing support to banned opposition movement.
There are 46 countries in Africa free of jailed journalists however CPJ said this doesn’t mean those countries haven’t jailed any journalists at all in 2011, but none were found as of 1 December 2011.
The annual census indicated that there are currently 179 journalists in prison across the world.
CPJ said, the stated figure excludes the many journalists imprisoned and released throughout the year.
(ST)
sol December 13, 2011
Eritrea is not the second jailer in the world but the number one killer if journalists in the word.Most of the journalist imprisoned in that isolated country did not see the day light.The terrible thing is the Eritrean prisons have big entrance gate but they do not have an exit.There condition is disturbing and they are held incommunicodo and they will let die in isolation.This is one of the gruesome human rights violation in this century.
Eritrea case is not simply compared with other nations like Iran because Eritrea has a population of around 4 Million while Ethiopia and Iran has 20 folds that of Eritrea.This increase he not only the number of journalists in that country but also the chance the journalists fall into not professionally related imprisonment.It would be wise to give a brief preface before comparing Eritrean journalists with the huge nations in the world.
ahmed saleh December 13, 2011
What do you expect when a country is run by sophisticated and organized street smarts.
Huluf December 13, 2011
ahmed saleh,
to your point not even in par with the culture of all Eritreans.
see this link…it proves your point…he does not behave like a president or even someone being hosted by dignitaries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4IJXeyzIOE&feature=related
daniel December 15, 2011
he has lost the plot ,he doesn’t look healthy either! may be his days are numbered from God
nish Alah!!
sol December 13, 2011
The torture and the suffering is not only for journalists but also for their parents, spouse,siblings,children and loved ones. The families do not have any information about the condition of the journalists are they alive , are they gone see them in the future.Some of the children grown up without knowing their father and others have not seen them for the last ten years and the worst they can not mourn their loss officially even though there are some leaks of death from inside prison.As the plight of these prisoners continue we should work hard to expose the evil deeds of the regime.
Abdi December 13, 2011
Many journalists are working in the country and many people are living untouched,so we need to ask ourselves why these were discriminated out of the whole population and imprisoned?no one exactly knows why,so until the time prevail the hidden truth and we know for sure why,you guys should stop defaming the gov’t and using thier imprisionments for your own sick agenda. always remember no smoke without fire and the gov’t might have enough reason for doing so.
Huluf December 13, 2011
Abdi Ibud,
Those living without being touched are stooges and are not journalists but reading humans in front of TV or in a newspaper. If the are truly journalists they would write critical articles at times on Editorial worning opently to the youth without lieing.
How about you start that endeavour. I dare you to return back home and be a comical Ali or Moussa Ibrahim. You keep accusing the young peope that left their home for better life than horrid story of their life. Specially when they watch the EuroYPFDJ and USDYPFJs.
Abdi December 13, 2011
Ayte Huluf Ata eniekha dikha?
Thanks Im not looking for a job nor qualified for journalists job,i didn’t know that you opened a recruitment agency.Wey goooood”hmam gorobet temehalalafay”you started to behave like those oppositions leaders who drag people into tasks regardless their qualification under the slagon of “money by any means “even by selling the nation,bel Mebal’etkha yegbro.
daniel December 15, 2011
Abdi are really a muslim? if you are what is in it for you, I don’t think you are muslim eritrean , may be you are related to one of Wedi Afoms Generals like , Wichu or Philipos , sibhat efrem etc…
Abnet Tesfai December 14, 2011
Abdi
I am so sorry that I cannot measure your foolishness.
you think that the journalists who are serving the dictator to be considered like professional journalists. they are just reading in the media what is written to them by the dictator and his followers. I don’t think you know the profession of journalism. A journalist writes and presents unbiasedly to the public what is the real situation in ground without deceiving and cheating. These journalists who were detained by the dictator were truly exercising their profession. That is why they were arrested and imprisoned by lawlessness.
Do you consider Asmelash Abraha and Gheberemeskel as journalists. they don’t know even what they say. The dictator deliberately put them as readers; because he knows that they are mindless and cowards. Therefore don’t mix fake and genuine.
weredemihret December 13, 2011
Abdi,
You are not one of us. We, Eritreans and Eritrea the nation are in mourning: our veteran fighters and journalists are languishing in the dungeons of pfdj; our youth are systematically being chased out of their beloved land.
whereas you, Abdi, and few cliques of the ruling mafia with the agenda of selling Eritrea to Ethiopia are rejoicing our predicament.
Ajoka hizbey tslaetka trah aleli
Abdi December 14, 2011
Indeed Im not one of you,Im not unionist, opportunist nor anti Eritrea,I don’t put my hands in the bloody woyane’s hands which killed and looted my people ,Im not one of you,i don’t relay on my peoples enemy to put me on power effortlessly,Im not one of you because i don’t sell my country.
You are right Im not one of you.
daniel December 15, 2011
You are selling Eritrea to Ethiopia didn’t you see what you ambassador to AU Girma Asmerom said ” we support regional Integration ” who gave him the authority to do that ? IF PFDJ CAN’T have Eritrea they will wipe her of the MAP that is their plan. but we have to get in before they do that with GOD’S help.
truly, Truly i say to you December 14, 2011
Abdi you said, “ Many journalists are working in the country and many people are living untouched .„ Well, if you call them, those untouched pfdj propagandists, “as journalists.” Could you tell to any one of your journalists to ask your president in the coming interview, the following my concern questions like this please?
Part 1
1)According almost all the PFDJ officials like Yemane Gebreab , Tesfamicheal Gerahtu, Ali Abdu etc including Isayas himself and regime supports belief and explanation at every festival, those opposing the regime are not more than 2% in number, but 98% are pro the regime. If it is so Kibur Presidant,that means you are saying us like your friend Gadafi said,” “every Eritrean loves you and behind you.) For what you are scaring then for,not to make your leadershipment legalize through public election ? Wouldn´ you think, that would be better the world to acknowledge and to approve what the Eritrean people real choice is? Don´t you think your regime if be formed legally by public will, the accusation and critic that we hearing from your political opponents inside, and from international community as well,as human right violator , self elect dictator , terrorism claim etc that would be minimized?
Abdi December 14, 2011
Mr truly,
the problem is you guys paranoid and think everybody who opposes you or lives in Eritrea is a HGDEF or who owns a villa in Eritrea, NO you are wrong as your agenda is,Im not a HGDEF member but i support them for the patriotic job they are doing not like you guys who collaborate with the historical enemy of our people against your own people FOR THE SAKE OF POWER.
And don’t expect any wise person to support you as long as you are on the wrong path and getting directives from woyane you even didn’t hesitate to call for a sanction on your own country,i don’t UNDERSTAND why do you want Eritreans to support you.
Mind you we Eritreans love to have democratic gov’t and love to run elections as the rest of the world but this request has to be from us to us in a peaceful civilized way not from woyane who
is sleepless to destroy the country by gathering who ever claims to oppose the gov’t.so we don’t want the change neither from you nor from your bosses(woyanes) and we will be hand in hand
with our gov’t against any external viruses including you.
Abnet Tesfai December 14, 2011
Abdi
Difun libi
You only know how to point your finger to WOYANE. I think WOYANE might have raped you in some place. whenever any individual from Eritrea claims democracy, and justis to prevail in Eritrea by reviling the evildoing of PFDJ, you ascribe him WOYANE. As coward person you are very afraid of WOYANE. Don’t worry!WOYANE has no any power and aim to kill you. Be mettlesome to face the discussions and be upright for the truth. don’t bubble when you hear someone talking the facts. sooner or later Issayas will follow Ghadafi. What will happen to you? are you going to kill your self or go to exile to replace us?
HAKI TEZARIBKA AB MEGHEDI BABUR DEKIS.
Abdi December 15, 2011
What ever you say still the truth and upper hand is with PIA,
Ya donqoro,because of your selfishness you can’t feel what has been committed on your people,i don’t have to be raped to feel the terror of rape,hence i feel whatever has been done on my people cos Im one of them. Ya resah.
truly, Truly i say to you December 14, 2011
Second ,
As we all know,Eritrea been sanctioned not in its own internal political case, but it is mostly in Somalian case and Ethiopians . why it should be so? Why our peeople and nation must punish because of other neighbours issue? Since we have a lot problems to solve inside ,why our government all the time like involved in neighbours case? Why not we live them to solve their own problems alone and do our own business ?They have own government to care and worry about or not?Is it not petty or ignorance a poor nation like Eritrea all the time to see confronting with the world developed nations? Who will be responsible for all these sanctions, and nation isolation from regionally and globally politic? Could you accept as the Eritrean people gave you credit and respect for independence, if they give you responsible for the defeat in Badme, for lost of many human lives, lost of territories and islands, sanction and diplomacy defeat and isolation etc? Would you agree if the people ask you to resign, or you own selves thinking peacefully to resign for the sake of the nation survival as sovereign state and for avoiding the possible blood shed like we seen in other nations?
truly, Truly i say to you December 14, 2011
Third,
Why our government running all the time, behind rightly or wrongly created accusations for repond? Why our government they not like to talk strongly and loudly to challenge about the already decided border decision issue case by raising ,instead trying arguing and giving answer about for partly purposely created accusations? Did, let alone the world, even inside security council members know about the illegal occupation of our territories by Ethiopians at all? I doubt much. Have Eritreans foreign minister and diplomats enough ability and knowledge to defend the nation interests internationally at all?I mean are they wise enough to challenge all part fabricated part truth accusations at UN instead trying to convince us at any your Mekete meetings or festivals to ordinary Eritreans? Why not they speak about border issue loudly at UN, instead they tended to respond after every diverted and created topic always? Are they political child to be cheated and manipulated easily?, or are they consciously ignored not to claim about border issue for prolonging power only?
truly, Truly i say to you December 14, 2011
Fourth,
why our government released British detainees, but why not those whole life deserved heroes and journalists? atleast why not give them mercy even they be fond gilty because of their past dedication? Is there crime or threat was higher than the British one? Didn´t in media you told us, the British as they committed serious threat and crime? Is everybody not equal in justice? Where is pfdj´s justice please here? Don´t you know every Eritrean in abroad if commit crime the same like the native people one for instance, Eritrean as foreigner that will more suffer and get a harsh judgement than the native ones. But why in Eritrea vise verse? When the Ethiopian government releases all those for death sentenced Derg criminals, and again and again while PM Meles gives mercy for its arch political enemies, why the Eritrean government atleast not give mercy for those belief prisoners or journalists?
truly, Truly i say to you December 14, 2011
So Abdi, if any of a journalist that you call there is a lot in the country be able to ask my questions to your president, I will be very pleased. And we will see if anyone for asking such very harmless very normal and honest questions, after if remains untouchable.
aurora bruk December 14, 2011
eyseyas the mafia boss, i am sure is pleased to hear Eritrea is only second to Iran by imprisoning journalists. “by all means get noticed” that is that bastard’s motto. A psychological thing. he is an attention-seeker. also he thinks belonging to the same category as Iran or Russia even for being a sadist makes him as strong. And generally, a journalist can not work in Eritrea. not even state media journalists can do their work. for one there is censorship but also because journalists practice self-censorship. they cannot afford not to. and our journalists in prison are a symbol of how evil this dictator is. Leave us alone eseyas MONSTER! You will end up just like hitler your friend.