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PEN Case Studies in Digital Freedom – Targeting Individuals
On December 24, 2012, writer Turki al-Hamad was arrested in Saudi Arabia for posting several tweets on Twitter in which he criticized Islamists. Al-Hamad is a political analyst and… More
in field latin
one evening / they came the dead of my house / back from the train-station. it was december & // their next train did not leave till march More
Nasrin Sotoudeh Returns to Prison
Nasrin Sotoudeh was returned to Evin Prison late Monday night after a short, three-day furlough, her husband Reza Khandan reports. On a Facebook page dedicated to Nasrin's release, Reza… More
A Singular Woman
To describe Dunham as a white woman from Kansas is about as illuminating as describing her son as a politician who likes golf. Intentionally or not, the label obscures… More
Playwright Arrested; Fears for Safety
PEN International fears for the safety of Syrian playwright and actor Zaki Cordillo, who has been held since August 13, 2012, in Damascus and is considered to be at… More
“My Grave” and “Ripeness”
Every day I watch my grave in the yard / included in the price of the house, / with a board over the hole, / with a tombstone of… More
Nasrin Sotoudeh Temporarily Released From Prison
We were thrilled to learn that Nasrin Sotoudeh, winner of the 2011 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, was temporarily released from Evin Prison today and reunited with her… More
from “Muse & Drudge,” “Trimmings”
Swan neck, white shoulders, lumps of fat. A woman's face/above it all. Unriddled sphinx 'without secrets.' Alabaster/bust, paled into significance. Clothes opening, revealing/dress, as French comes into English. Suggestively,… More
PEN American Center Names Suzanne Nossel as Executive Director
PEN American Center announced today the appointment of human rights advocate and non-profit leader Suzanne Nossel as Executive Director. More
Four Last Songs
I’d forgotten to pay attention for years / To a song I heard for the first time // At the end of a recent memorial, / An actual song… More