13-Year Sentence for Subversion an “Atrocious” and “Illogical” Attack on Free Speech
The sentencing of activist and member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center, Qin Yongmin, to 13 years in prison for “subversion” demonstrates a gross denial of justice, PEN America… More
DARE: Facebook Fined in U.K. Over Cambridge Analytica Leak
Britain levies maximum fine against Facebook for letting Cambridge Analytica, firm set up by Trump campaign supporters, to harvest millions of people’s personal data without their consent in order… More
Leading Human Rights Figures and Artists Call for President Trump to Discuss Russian Political Prisoners During Meeting with Putin
A list of leading figures in human rights, filmmaking, and the arts issued an open letter urging President Trump to raise Sentsov's case and that of all political prisoners… More
Decision to Drop Remaining Charges Against “J20” Protesters an Overdue but Important Victory for Right to Protest
On Friday July 6, federal prosecutors dropped felony charges against the final 38 defendants arrested following the 2017 Inauguration Day protests, or “J20” protests. More
PEN America Celebrates the Release of Poet Liu Xia After Eight Years Under House Arrest
Liu Xia's release is a testament to the power of collective voices being raised in support of those who others would brutalize into silence. More
Israel: End judicial proceedings and ensure Dareen Tatour’s immediate release
Dareen Tatour, a Palestinian poet and citizen of Israel, was convicted by the Nazareth Magistrate's Court on May 3, 2018 on charges of incitement to violence and support for terror organizations. Tatour… More
Gravely Disappointing Decision in Myanmar as Court Moves to Full Trial for Reuters Reporters and 2018 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award Winners Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo
“Today's decision is a grave disappointment and an alarming retreat for press freedom in Myanmar,” said Suzanne Nossel, CEO at PEN America. More
DARE: Trump Hires Former Fox News Executive Bill Shine as Communications Chief
President Trump’s new White House communications chief is Bill Shine, formerly of Fox News—which he left amid scandal and lawsuits over enabling sexual harassment. Scott Pruitt resigns as EPA… More
Myanmar Court has Opportunity to Uphold Press Freedoms by Dropping Case Against Reuters Journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo
Given the lack of relevant evidence brought forward in the pre-trial period, and the testimony suggesting police entrapped Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, the Myanmar courts… More
Release of Mehmet Altan Represents a Welcome First Step for Free Expression in Turkey
“This ruling, while very welcome and a great relief for Mehmet and his family, is only a first step in restoring justice in this case.” More