The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, today voiced concern over the treatment of journalists in Eritrea in the wake of reports that writer and journalist Fessehaye Yoahannes had died in detention.

"I am concerned about press freedom in Eritrea and over the way journalists are being treated in the country," the Director-General said. "Reports about the conditions of detention of journalists imprisoned without trial are a source of grave concern, as are reports of the disappearance of journalists. I would invite the government of Eritrea to shed light on these cases and to ensure respect for due process of law and basic human rights, including freedom of expression and press freedom, which are fundamental to democracy and rule of law."

Mr Matsuura spoke of press freedom in Eritrea following reports by Reporters without Borders that poet and playwright Fessehaye "Joshua" Yohannes, formerly a journalist with the now-banned weekly Setit, died in detention on 11 January.

Mr Yohannes was arrested in September 2001, along with 10 other journalists and many members of the opposition. At that time, the authorities also suspended the privately-owned press.

UNESCO is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom. Article 1 of its Constitution requires the Organization to “further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.” To realize this purpose the Organization is required to “collaborate in the work of advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples, through all means of mass communication and to that end recommend such international agreements as may be necessary to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image…”

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