The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has expressed concern over the continued detention of 18 Eritrean journalists arrested in 2001 without trial, urging governments to strengthen accountability for crimes against media practitioners.
The commission made the call in a statement issued on Monday to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
It said the journalists had neither been charged nor brought before a court since their arrest and had been denied contact with their families and access to legal representation for 25 years.
The commission cited its ruling in Article 19 v. Eritrea, which addressed violations of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights arising from the journalists’ detention. It said their imprisonment violated not only their right to freedom of expression but also the public’s right to information under Article 9 of the Charter.
The commission recalled that it had called on the Eritrean government to release the journalists or bring them before a court for a speedy and fair trial, grant them access to their families and lawyers, and provide compensation for the violations.
It said the continued impunity in the case highlighted the need for states to fulfil their responsibility to protect journalists and ensure justice for victims.
The commission also warned that threats against journalists were evolving, particularly through online attacks and intimidation, stressing that perpetrators must be held accountable regardless of the form of violence.
It urged governments to take effective measures to protect journalists and other media practitioners, warning that impunity could foster an atmosphere of fear and discourage media professionals from carrying out their duties.