Eritrean Poet Amanuel Asrat Named International Writer of Courage

At The Guardian, Alison Flood reports that PEN Pinter Prize recipient Linton Kwesi Johnson will share the award with Eritrean poet, critic, and journalist Amanuel Asrat who has been named International Writer of Courage by English PEN's Writers at Risk Committee, in association with Johnson. (Each year, the PEN Pinter Prize is shared with an International Writer of Courage: a writer who has been persecuted for speaking out about their beliefs.) Alison Flood writes, “Asrat’s writing looks at the daily life of the underprivileged, exploring themes of war and peace, and the negative side of conflict.” More: 

He was arrested on 23 September 2001, along with the editors of all privately owned newspapers, as part of the Eritrean government’s campaign to silence its critics, and has not been heard from since.

According to English PEN, Asrat and his fellow writers are believed to have been subjected to torture and other ill-treatment, including lack of access to medical care, while detained in the purpose-built maximum-security prison Eiraeiro. The free speech organisation, which awards the PEN Pinter prizes in memory of the late Harold Pinter, said that it was unknown whether charges have been brought against them or if they have ever been brought to trial.

“Amanuel [has been] suffering under the harsh conditions of the Eiraeiro dungeon for 19 years and counting. His whereabouts are not known. We don’t even know whether he is alive or dead,” said Asrat’s brother, Daniel Mebrahtu. “We wish Amanuel was aware of this prize and honour somehow. We ask the international community to intervene in his case and other prisoners of conscience in Eritrea, and demand their immediate release.”

Learn more at The Guardian.