(NEW YORK)— PEN America and its Journalist Assistance Network (JAN) partners today condemned the Russian Ministry of Justice for labeling the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) as an “undesirable” organization. This designation — used to ban foreign human rights and civil society organizations from operating in Russia — demonstrates mounting efforts by the Kremlin to suppress press freedom.
CPJ’s designation was announced on April 28, less than one month after CPJ and the JAN issued a statement of support following the IWMF’s “undesirable” listing. This cascading effect sends a chilling message that Russia is deliberately targeting press freedom organizations to suppress free speech and silence dissent.
PEN America and the JAN stand in solidarity with CPJ and urge Russia to reverse its designation and cease its attacks on press freedom. The JAN partners — five U.S.-based press freedom organizations specializing in digital safety, physical safety, and legal rights — include PEN America, the IWMF, CPJ, Freedom of the Press Foundation, and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], (201) 247-5057