TURKEY: Uphold freedom of expression
A year ago, a bloody coup attempt in Turkey left over two hundred people dead and over a thousand others injured. While we recognize the right of the Turkish… More
PEN San Miguel: Advocating for Journalists in Dangerous Climate for Free Expression
Threat in Mexico is not abstract. Over 70 journalists have been killed here in recent years…Mexico is a terrifying place to be trying to exercise free expression... More
PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Awardee Oleg Sentsov Turns 41 in Prison
July 13 marks the fourth birthday that Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov has spent incarcerated on charges trumped up to silence his opposition to the Russian annexation of Crimea. More
Writers Worldwide Mourn Death of Writer-Activist Liu Xiaobo, a Permanent Mark on China’s Human Rights Record
The death of Liu Xiaobo will forever mar China’s reputation under international law and global human rights standards, PEN America said in a statement today. More
Power to the People Requires Press Defense
We can do a better job of demonstrating how persistent journalism directly affects community change…here are a few ways reporters have used human stories to bring about substantive action. More
Bahrain: Human Rights Activist Nabeel Rajab’s Conviction for “False News” an Unjust and Chilling Result
The charges against Rajab are an appalling demonstration of Bahrain’s hostile attitude toward criticism and toward any human rights advocacy that it sees as unflattering to the government. More
RUSSIA: Conviction of librarian must be quashed
On June 5, 2017, Natalia Sharina, former Director of the state-run Library of Ukrainian Literature in Moscow, was found guilty of "incitement of hatred" towards Russian people and "embezzlement"… More
Liu Xiaobo Must be Allowed to Seek Treatment Abroad
NEW YORK--In response to the statement from Western medical experts that it is safe to transport Liu Xiaobo abroad for cancer treatment, PEN America Executive Director Suzanne Nossel released… More
A New Ordeal for Egyptian Writer Ahmed Naji
This travel ban, which apparently remains in place despite Naji's conviction having been overturned, adds insult to injury. More
United Arab Emirates (UAE): Arbitrary detention of prominent writer and human rights defender reaches three months
Ahmed Mansoor al-Shehhi (أحمد منصور الشحي), a 47 year-old Emirati citizen, was reportedly arrested by dozens of uniformed security agents who broke into his home in the city of Ajman.… More