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Writers for Freedom of Expression in China
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When China was bidding for the Olympics in 2001, the Chinese government made explicit promises to improve its human rights record. But the Olympics have come and gone, with little or no progress for freedom of expression in China. Chinese writers continue to be censored, harassed, and imprisoned throughout the country. More writers are imprisoned now than ever before.
In December 2008, authorities arrested prominent PEN Member Liu Xiaobo after he co-authored a manifesto calling for greater freedoms and democracy in China, which was signed by hundreds citizens from all walks of life. Liu is being held on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power.” If convicted, he faces at least three years in prison. His case illustrates the lengths the Chinese government will still go to stifle free expression, and the determination of Chinese writers to fight for this most basic right. We stand with them in their struggle. |
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RECENT NEWS
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 July 30, 2010:
Writers in U.S. and China Denounce Formal Arrest of Liu Xianbin
>> More
July 27, 2010:
PEN Protests Heavy Sentence Against Uighur Journalist Gheyret Niyaz
>> More
Ju ne 1, 2010:
Liu Xiaobo Transferred to Remote Prison in Liaoning Province
>> More
A pril 20, 2010:
Uighur PEN Member Ilham Tohti Barred From Travel Outside China
>> More
 March 1, 2010:
Chinese Writer Liao Yiwu Prevented From Traveling to German Book Festival
>> More
Feb ruary 11, 2010:
PEN President Appiah Reacts to Court's Rejection of Liu Xiaobo's Appeal
>> More
Ja nuary 26, 2010:
Detained PEN Officer Zhao Shiying Released; ICPC Site Attacked
>> More
January 14, 2010:
Writer and PEN Officer Zhao Shiying Detained in China
>> More
>> Complete News Archive
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PRESS
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The Poet in an Unknown Prison
The New York Review of Books
Arrested Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo to receive prestigious award
Times Online
 Writers Speak Out For Jailed Dissidents
WAMC
>> Complete Press Archive
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RECENT EVENTS
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On New Year’s Eve 2009, E.L. Doctorow, Don DeLillo, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Edward Albee, A.M. Homes, Honor Moore, and other PEN Members gathered on the steps of the New York Public Library to demand the release of writer Liu Xiaobo. >> More
On the eve of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, PEN honored the more than 40 writers imprisoned in China. >> More
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RESOURCES
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Beyond the Olympics: The Freedom to Write in China, After the Spotlight
An assessment on the state of freedom of expression in China before, during, and after the Olympic Games. >> More
Failing to Deliver: An Olympic-Year Report Card on Free Expression in China
a progress report on the state of freedom of expression in China. >> More
PEN's letter to the Chinese government
We are writing on behalf of our members and the entire community of International PEN . . . to urge you to release 40 of our colleagues who are in prison in your country in violation of their right to freedom of expression. >> More
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