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Internet Writer Bui Kim Thành Released
International PEN welcomes the release on July 11, 2008, of Bui Kim Thành, Internet writer, dissident, and lawyer, after being held for five months in psychiatric detention, apparently without… More
PEN: Signs “Discouraging” for Post-Olympics Human Rights Improvements in China
As the temporary regulations for foreign journalists working in the People’s Republic of China expire today, three International PEN centers issued a report highlighting the vulnerable position writers and… More
Songwriter Detained for Lyrics
PEN fears that well-known singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga’s detention is in violation of his right to freedom of expression. More
PEN Gives Voice to Silenced Writers in China on Eve of the Olympics
In New York last night, celebrated PEN Members gathered to read banned and censored work by writers in China, including new and never-before translated writings by Tsering Woeser, Yang… More
Days of Illegal Detention
Once again, on the afternoon of December 14, I was interrogated by agents of the Pudong Subdistrict Security Bureau. After two hours of small talk, they had asked about… More
The Public-Toilet Manager
Yes. I used to drive a human-waste truck. Nobody looked down on me because I was handling shit. My clients called me Master Zhou. More
The ‘Crime’ and ‘Punishment’ of Yang Yunbiao, Evictee
March 4, 2008Hushanju, QingdaoYang Yunbiao is a resident of Hangzhou. His home is in Zhuqiao Village, Zhuantang County, Xihu District, and for generations his family has not left this… More
How Big a Character is Xin
Between heaven and earth, the flakes of snow are fluttering and dancing, as if writing a letter . . . Oh! How big a letter! How big a book! When I was teaching… More
A Killing Trip
1.I ran into my cousin Gyatso in a bar next to my work unit. Without chatting much he invited me to join a trip to Terdrom Hot Spring next… More