APPEAL AGAINST SUPPRESSION OF FREEDOM OF EXPESSION IN ERITREA ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
Reference: EMDHR/Pressrelease/001/06
3 May 2006

APPEAL AGAINST SUPPRESSION OF FREEDOM OF EXPESSION IN ERITREA ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
Reference: EMDHR/Pressrelease/001/06
3 May 2006
 
As proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, this day is designated as World Press Freedom Day and its aim is to remind us all - governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations as well as civil society – of the crucial role a free press plays in strengthening democracies and fostering development around the world. On this occasion, we, in the EMDHR, would like to bring forward the consistent suppression of freedom of expression and press in Eritrea.
 
Although the yet to be implemented Eritrean Constitution allows for freedom of expression, no independent media have been allowed to operate in the country since the government banned the free press and jailed independent journalists in September 2001. A dozen journalists who once shade light to the Eritrean public continue to be held in secret prisons with no formal charges laid against them. Since then the Eritrean public has been denied of its freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any free and independent media.
 
We recognize that freedom of expression is not a luxury. Rather it is a fundamental human freedom which underpins all other rights, including the right to life. The deprivation of this basic freedom is, therefore, exposing Eritreans to consistent and gross violations of their social, economic and political rights.  As a result, all the developments in the country are stifled and poverty reached its grave proportion.
 
On this particular World PressFreedomDay, we appeal to all governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, Eritrean civil societies, Eritrean political parties and concerned individuals to take necessary steps that pressurize the Government of Eritrea to abide by the sprit of the Constitution. We particularly urge to put maximum effort to pressurize the Government of Eritrea to end the secret detention of all journalists.
Director of Communications Management,
EMDHR