New York, June 7, 2001 - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today issued a letter of inquiry
to Eritrean Minister of Justice Foazia Hashim, expressing concern about
the welfare of 15 journalists who are alleged either to be in prison or
to have been forcibly conscripted.
Among the journalists are:
- Paolos Zaid - Zaid, assistant editor of the government weekly
Eritrean Profile, was picked up at his home by security agents
in late April and detained at an unknown location. The reason for
his arrest and his current whereabouts are also unknown.
- Zemenfes Haile - Haile, a founding editor of the independent
weekly Tsigenay, was arrested by security agents at his office
early last year. According to our information, Haile was tortured
while in detention and then sent to the Zara hard labor detention
center, although he was never charged with any crime.
- Ghebrehiwet Keleta - Security agents arrested Keleta, a free-lance
journalist for the weekly Tsigenay, while he was on the way
to his office sometime in July 2000. The reason for his arrest and
the place of his detention are unknown.
- Temesghen Ghebreyesus - Ghebreyesus, a reporter for the independent
Keste Debena, may have been arrested and kidnapped by security
agents. It is believed that he was drafted into the army and sent
to the border with Ethiopia, where a two-year-long border war ended
in a ceasefire in December. His current whereabouts are unknown.
The others, whose names are listed with those of their publications below,
may also have been arrested or forcibly sent to the army frontlines:
- Akhader Ahmedin (Tsigenay)
- Medhanie Haile (Keste Debena)
- Yebio Ghebremedhin (Mekalih)
- Muluberhan Habtegebriel (Setit)
- Amanuel (Mana)
- Ghebremedhin (Millenium)
- Said Abdelkader (Admas)
- Dawit Ghebreab (Wintana)
- Daniel Habte (Eri-Tempo)
- Omer "Abu Akla" (Tsigenay)
- Meles Nigusse (Tsigenay)
CPJ requested that the Minister verify whether these journalists are in
prison or have been forcibly conscripted.
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