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Africa News of Tuesday, 13 October 2020

Source: bbc.com

Jailed Eritrean poet wins English PEN award

Mr Amanuel has not been seen or heard from in 19 year, since he was arrested Mr Amanuel has not been seen or heard from in 19 year, since he was arrested

The free speech organisation English PEN has given its 2020 award for International Writer of Courage to the Eritrean poet Amanuel Asrat.

Mr Amanuel has not been seen or heard from in 19 years, since he was arrested as part of a clampdown on government critics in his homeland.

He was the editor of the newspaper Zemen at the time.

His brother addressed the online ceremony on Monday and one of his poems was read out.

He was recommended for the award by the Jamaican-born British poet Linton Kwesi Johnson.