The jury highlights the Swedish-Eritrean journalist's "outstanding work and exceptional courage" when it comes to standing up for freedom of expression and human rights. Isaak had Swedish citizenship when he returned to Eritrea to help build up his homeland after independence in 1993. He became editor at Setit, the country's first independent newspaper, and was arrested in 2001 after publishing texts that criticized the government.
Isaak and his colleagues – photographer and former TV chief Seyoum Tsehaye, poet and author Amanuel Asrat, and sports journalist Temesgen Ghebreyesus – are now the journalists who have been imprisoned the longest in the world – for 23 years – without trial.
The Edelstam Prize is awarded in memory of the Swedish diplomat Harald Edelstam. Dawit Isaak's daughter Betlehem Isaak receives it at a ceremony at the Riddarhuset in Stockholm on November 19.
The prize amount has never been made public.
