Focus Regions
PEN America works to protect freedom of expression and promote fundamental rights around the world, with particular emphasis in Focus Regions where we have developed expertise and built relationships with people and organizations on the ground. Read below to learn more about PEN America’s initiatives to help address distinct regional challenges in these areas and how you can be part of these important efforts.
Many challenges to free expression transcend state and regional boundaries. Learn more about our approaches to these Focus Issues.
United States
The United States proudly stands as a haven for free expression at home and a champion of free speech abroad. PEN America works to ensure that the United States… More
Saudi Arabia
PEN America's Saudi Arabia advocacy focuses on ensuring justice for Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and calling for the release of imprisoned writers. More
Bangladesh
The climate for free expression in Bangladesh has significantly deteriorated: Radical Islamist groups have claimed the killings of six bloggers, free thinkers, and their publishers since February 2015, and… More
Post-Soviet States
Since the end of the Soviet Union in 1991, former soviet countries have had to face severe challenges. The governance and goals of each country have diverged from the… More
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PEN America On 
From the moment #Trump began lying and denigrating journalism & science I feared a pandemic where disinformation would be a matter of life or death and Americans would not be able to trust our govt. Now we're here. #COVIDー19 #CoronavirusOutbreak https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/26/world/asia/coronavirus-news.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
Police have arrested would-be delegates of a founding congress of the opposition party in Kazakhstan, raising fears about political participation. https://bit.ly/384YLGK
[email protected] has launched its first #ArtistsxArtists collaboration with a piece by artists @badiucao and Gianluca Costantini (@channeldraw). Their co-created cartoon highlights the #HongKongProtests and the importance of #FreeSpeech. Read more here: https://bit.ly/2I0lkSm.