Human rights abuses in Eritrea: A cry from a prison cell

“Dawit Isaak once was free but now is silent,” says the preface of his book, Hope. Dawit is a Swedish-Eritrean writer and journalist, who wrote award-winning books, articles and theater plays. Until 2001. That year, Dawit was imprisoned in Eritrea. He was never put on trial and is not in contact with lawyers, agencies or friends. Up to today, even his family does not know where he is. On November 5, the Swedish NGO Free Dawit organized a seminar, hosted by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) David Lega (EPP), to discuss the human rights situation in Eritrea and to highlight the case of Dawit Isaak, a prisoner of conscience.

News Highlights: Eritrea and Sudan to collaborate on security, Eritrean political prisoners still detained, Alleged human traffickers arrested in Italy

In this week’s news highlights: Eritrean prisoners of conscience still in prison after 18 years; Eritrea and Sudan to collaborate on security; Eritrean political expert argues EU does not recognize abnormality of Eritrean regime; More child soldiers in South Sudan despite peace deal; Italian officials accused of being responsible for the deaths of 268 refugees; Rescue ship allowed to dock in Italy; Council: EU member states should ‘deliver on commitments’ on human trafficking; Council of the European Union implements revised torture guidelines; Three men accused of rape and other crimes in Libyan detention center; 98 refugees evacuated from Libya to Italy; Migrants in Libyan detention centers anxious about future after evacuation to Rwanda; and the number of refugee growth is outpacing the world’s population growth rate.

News Highlights: UN report on Libyan atrocities, Somalia and UAE tension, EP report condemns Hungary

In this week’s news highlights: Israel’s government given until 15 April to show Uganda deal; UN report on detention and torture in Libya;Seizure of money in Somalia creates political upsurge; Darfur rebel group asks for humanitarian help; Sudanese President reported to have ordered release of detainees; Hearing on Eritrea’s refugees taking place in Washington; Ethiopian President asks for unity; and a European Parliament draft report calls for the Council to take strong action against Hungary over migration.