Temesgen Gebreyesus was a journalist and actor who performed in acclaimed plays, and remembered for his sense of humour and camera skills.
In addition to being a journalist, Temesgen Gebreyesus was an actor who performed in acclaimed plays, and remembered for his sense of humour and camera skills. He was arrested in 2001 along with 16 other journalists, for reporting around the G-15 letter, an open letter from prominent Eritrean politicians, known as the G-15 or Group of 15, within the ruling party, that condemned the actions of President Afwerki and his regime. He is being held incommunicado by the Eritrean authorities who refuse to disclose his exact location or details of his health and well-being. The status of his health and whereabouts are unknown.
The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights ruled in May 2007 that journalists arrested in September 2001 in Eritrea, which includes Temesgen Gebreyesus, were being held in arbitrary and unlawful detention. It called upon the Eritrean government to release the men and compensate them. The Government of Eritrea has ignored the ruling and journalists arrested in September 2001 remain in detention.