At the same time, WAN demands that the Eritrean government explain what happened to the journalist Fessahaye Yohannes, who reportedly died in prison in early 2007.

The majority of the journalists were jailed following a government crackdown in 2001 that saw the closure of all independent media outlets and the suspension of civil and political liberties in Eritrea.

Many of the journalists have never been formally charged, despite having spent nearly seven years in prison. Eritrean law stipulates that an individual cannot be detained without charges for more than 30 days.

The journalists are being held in undisclosed locations and their families and lawyers are not allowed to visit them. According to reports, many of them suffer from health problems due to the horrendous living conditions in prison.

The journalists currently in prison are: Said Abdulkadir, Yosuf Mohamed Ali, Saleh Al Jezaeri, Amanuel Asrat, Temesgen Gebreyesus, Mattewos Habteab, Dawit Habtemichael, Medhanie Haile, Zemenefes Haile, Dawit Isaak, Ghebrehiwet Keleta, Hamid Mohamed Said, Seyoum Tsehaye and Selamyinghes Beyene.

Relatives of the imprisoned journalists are reportedly subject to harassment and reprisals, even those living abroad; there are reports that some relatives have also been imprisoned simply because of their family ties.

The detention of these journalists constitutes a clear breach of their right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by numerous international conventions, including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Furthermore, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights considers that “detention, as punishment for the peaceful expression of an opinion, is one of the most reprehensible ways to enjoin silence and, as a consequence, a grave violation of human rights.”

The World Association of Newspapers calls for the immediate release of the fourteen imprisoned journalists and for President Issayas Afewerki to restore all civil and political liberties in Eritrea, including freedom of the press and access to information.