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Daughter of Dawit Isaak hopes for peace in Syria
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Bethlehem Isaak, daughter of journalist Dawit Isaak, represents her father while receiving the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize during a 2017 World Press Freedom Day event on Wednesday. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
B
ethlehem Isaak, daughter of Dawit Isaak, the recipient of the Guillermo Cano Freedom Press Award, has expressed the hope that the protracted conflict in Syria will end soon.
“In the spirit of human rights and freedom of speech, I hope the conflict in Syria and other conflicts in the world will end soon,” she said representing her father while receiving an award at World Press Freedom Day celebrations in Jakarta on Wednesday evening.
Dawit Isaak is an Eritrean journalist and writer who has been imprisoned since 2001 by the Eritrean government without trial. His whereabouts remain unknown until now.
It is very important to maintain dignity and tolerance and support the work of journalism, Bethlehem said.
She said journalists could fight for freedom and act as benchmarks to show where freedom was an illusion or under threat.
Bethlehem also recounted her last memories with her father before he was captured. Isaak, said Bethlehem, was optimistic and always hoped that Eritrea would become a peaceful and democratic country.
"One day, I hope to see you again and hold your hand and become your daughter again. I hope you come home soon and be with the family," Bethlehem said. (rdi/dis)
