Sweden – Dagens Nyheter, Sept. 23, 2026
Twenty-five years have passed since Dawit Isaak was imprisoned in Eritrea. Now, the government taking office must increase its efforts to bring an end to his quarter-century-long captivity, write 21 journalists, public figures, and advocates.
On Wednesday, exactly 25 years had passed since Swedish citizen, journalist, and author Dawit Isaak was imprisoned in Eritrea. In September 2001, Eritrea launched a brutal crackdown on the country’s independent press. Newspapers were shut down and many journalists were imprisoned. Dawit Isaak was among those arrested, together with several other journalists from Setit, after the newspaper was banned for publishing articles calling for democratic reforms. During the 25 years that have passed, none of the journalists have been put on trial, and they have been denied all contact with the outside world. Eritrea is a brutal dictatorship where independent journalism has been criminalized.
The responsibility for the fate of Dawit Isaak and his imprisoned colleagues rests, of course, with Eritrea. Pressure on the country must be an international concern.
At the same time, we believe that the combined efforts of Swedish governments over these 25 years have not been sufficient.
For many years, Swedish media and civil society have campaigned for Dawit Isaak’s release. Newspapers have launched campaigns. Demonstrations, poetry readings, and appeals have been organized. Calls have also been made for legal action.
But the actor in Sweden with the greatest ability to influence Dawit Isaak’s fate is the government, and it needs to act more forcefully. We welcome the fact that the Foreign Minister visited Eritrea last year. At the same time, we believe that the combined efforts of Swedish governments over these 25 years have not been sufficient.
When Reporters Without Borders asked the eight political parties in Sweden’s parliament how Sweden should act to secure Dawit Isaak’s freedom, the responses showed that a clear majority want to see stronger Swedish action. All eight parties stated that the case is important. The Moderate Party and the Christian Democrats want to continue pressuring Eritrea along the same lines as during the previous term. The other parties stated that they want the incoming government to increase its efforts to secure his release.
Now the responsibility lies with the government that takes office after the election.
This is encouraging. But those of us who have been engaged in Dawit Isaak’s case for many years have heard many fine words before. Now the responsibility lies with the government that takes office after the election. Before election day, a large majority of the parties said they wanted Sweden to increase its efforts to secure Dawit Isaak’s release. We expect them to stand by that commitment now that the election is over.
Dawit Isaak has been deprived of his freedom for 25 years too long. The government now taking office must do everything within its power to bring his captivity to an end.
