Belarus: PEN Calls for the Immediate Release of Political Prisoners
We are highly concerned about the systematic violations of the right to freedom of expression in the run-up to the presidential elections in Belarus. More
Belarus Approaches Another Undemocratic Election, as Arts and Culture Remains Underground
The courageous Belarusian artists and writers who continue to tell their stories, and to speak the truth, must not be ignored. More
PEN America Joins Belarusian PEN in Condemning Arrests of Writers
"The Belarusian authorities' recent actions underscore their blatant disregard for the rule of law and the fundamental free expression rights of Belarusian citizens." More
Fine Against Belarusian Writer “Violates Fundamental Right to Speak Freely”
*CORRECTION: An earlier version of this statement indicated that Arlou was arrested. He was summoned to court, fined, and charged, but not formally placed under arrest.*** (New York, NY) –… More
PEN America Condemns Brutal Homophobic Attack on Belarusian Filmmaker
"Kolya was standing up against the very prejudices he seeks to portray in his film. PEN America condemns such blatant acts of hatred, and urges Belarus to take action… More
Charges Against Marina Zolotova Part of Relentless Persecution of Independent Belarusian Media
"This tenuous accusation of 'official inaction' is very clearly an attempt to punish an independent journalist by any available means." More
PEN America Joins Belarusian PEN Center in Call to End Persecution of Writer and Activist Paviel Sieviaryniec
The harassment of renowned writer Paviel Sievaryniec and his fellow activists in Belarus has gone on for too long, and his arrest this week is proof of the continuous threat to… More
PEN America Joins Belarusian PEN Center in Protest of Conviction of Poet Uladzimir Niakliaeu
PEN America stands in solidarity with our colleagues in Belarus as they face yet another encroachment on their free expression rights. More
Andrzej Poczobut Released on Bail, Still Faces Prison
Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut was released on bail on June 30. However, he still faces a prison sentence of almost eight years on charges of “libelling the President.” More
Journalist Risks Jail for Criticizing President
PEN International shares Amnesty International’s concerns about Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut’s detention and the threat of a five-year prison term. More
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PEN America applauds @RonWyden for his letter condemning the possibility that @USAGMgov may not renew their foreign journalists' visas. Read more in our statement: https://bit.ly/2XG5QLB.
NEW: Governments and individuals should be wary of apps that may be collecting personal data. But effectively blocking TikTok and WeChat is an overly blunt approach to a complex problem. Our statement: https://bit.ly/3gGGwwG