Satirical cartoonist released after 15 years, but more journalists remain disappeared 25 years after detention

Introduction

This year marks 10 years since the United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Eritrea released its final report in which it found that it had “reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed in the country since 1991 and that Eri­trean officials have com­mitted and continue to commit the crimes of enslavement, imprisonment, enforced dis­ap­­pea­rance, tor­­ture, other inhumane acts, persecution, rape, and mur­der.” It included that crimes against hu­ma­nity have been committed “in a widespread and systematic manner in Eritrean detention facilities, mili­tary training camps and other locations across the country” as part of “a campaign to instill fear in, deter op­position from and ultimately to control the Eritrean civilian population.” No adequate follow-up has been mandated by the Council to date. Despite the COI’s work and reports by successive Special Rap­porteurs and the Office of the UN High Com­­missioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on ongoing violations, no Eritrean offi­cial has been held accoun­table for these crimes.

The ongoing repression of civil and political rights, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, the absence of accountability and rule of law continue unabated in Eritrea. Indefinite national service continues to have devastating impacts on the population. Freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly are completely denied, with no space for independent media, civil society, or political opposition. The government maintains strict control over information, offering little transparency and restricting access to the internet through surveillance and censorship. Private gatherings are closely monitored, and any perceived dissent results in arrest or intimidation. The situation of Eritrean refugees and asylum-seekers globally remains concerning, along with the government’s limited cooperation with human rights mechanisms.

According to a March 2026 BBC report, satirical cartoonist Biniam Solomon was freed from prison after being detained for 15 years without charge. Biniam Solomon, now in his early 60s, was arrested in the capital, Asmara, in 2011 but was never tried. Nicknamed Cobra, Biniam gained fame for his critical and witty cartoons tackling political and social issues that were published in several Eritrean newspapers. During his 15 years in detention, Biniam had no contact with his family and received only occasional medical treatment.

Despite Biniam’s release (see above), many more journalists remain in detention. On 18th September 2026, it will be 25 years since 12 Eritrean writers and journalists were arbitrarily arrested and disappeared into prison. Since 2001 they have been held incommunicado and the Eritrean authorities continue to refuse to say where they are or whether they are even alive. The journalists’ names are:

• Amanuel Asrat,
• Dawit Habtemichael,
• Dawit Isaak,
• Fessehaye ‘Joshua’ Yohannes,
• Matheos Habteab,
• Methanie Haile,
• Sahle ‘Wedi-ltay’ Tsefezab,
• Said Abdelkadir,
• Said Idris ‘Aba Are’,
• Seyoum Tsehaye,
• Temesken Ghebreyesus, and
• Yousif Mohammed Ali