News & Analysis
The latest news and analysis from PEN America’s research and advocacy.
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Press Releases • Commentary
Writer Ilham Tohti Subjected to Prisoner Abuse, Says PEN
Uyghur writer Ilham Tohti has faced long periods of food deprivation and restraint by shackling during his detention, in violation of China’s international obligations under Article 16 of the… More
PEN Award Winner Ayşe Berktay Released from Prison in Turkey
PEN American Center is thrilled by the news that Turkish translator, writer, and peaceful activist Ayşe Berktay has been released from prison pending trial today, but remains deeply troubled… More
PEN American Center Emphasizes Human Rights in Surveillance Reform
Within an hour of the publication of the President’s Review Panel report and recommendations on NSA surveillance, the UN General Assembly passed by consensus a new resolution on the… More
PEN American Center Welcomes Impending Release of Pussy Riot
The Russian government's decision to finally allow the remaining jailed members of Pussy Riot to walk free is overdue, but welcome nonetheless. More
Qatar Authorities Thwart PEN Prison Visit with al-Ajami
PEN representatives were denied access to jailed poet Mohammed al-Ajami this week after Qatar’s highest court upheld the poet’s 15-year sentence on Monday. Al-Ajami remains in solitary confinement two… More
PEN Protests Exclusion of Bulgarian-German Writer from U.S.
PEN said the exclusion of German PEN Member Ilija Trojanov calls to mind our country’s checkered history of barring writers whose political views it disfavors, at a time when… More
PEN Protests Shocking NSA Phone Surveillance
PEN American Center President Peter Godwin called the surveillance “a shocking intrusion” that “underscores our worst fears that the U.S. government has veered off the rails in its understanding… More
PEN International Launches Report on Creative Freedom in China
On World Press Freedom Day, PEN International launched The PEN Report: Creativity and Constraint in Today’s China: a frank assessment of the climate of freedom of expression in the… More
Top PEN Prize to Honor Jailed Turkish Translator Ayşe Berktay
PEN American Center names Ayşe Berktay as the recipient of its 2013 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award. More
PEN Protests Increased Pressure on Liu Xia
PEN American Center today expressed alarm over reports that Chinese authorities have arrested Liu Xia's brother in China. More
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