Rising Restrictions on Artistic Freedom in Africa Linked to Political Crises, Flawed Elections and Covid
“Over the last few years in Africa, we have witnessed disturbing attacks on artists from around the continent, accompanied by widespread and pernicious efforts to dampen the right to… More
PEN America “Appalled” by Conviction of Writer Tsitsi Dangarembga Linked to Peaceful Protest in Zimbabwe
“Tsitsi Dangarembga was arrested for exercising her right to peaceful protest. Her arrest and the long drawn out trial against her is clearly intended to send a frightening message… More
Tsitsi Dangarembga
Dangarembga was arrested for taking part in anti-corruption protests in July 2020 and was released on bail the next day. She appeared at least 25 times in court on… More
Hopewell Chin’ono
Chin’ono was detained in July 2020 for almost six weeks after he published his investigations into state corruption. He has since been repeatedly detained on additional spurious charges, including… More
Arrested Zimbabwean Novelist Must Be Released
"Would that the regime cared as much about those issues as it does about silencing those who dare to raise their voices in dissent." More
Kudakwashe Bwititi
Bwititi was arrested alongside co-filmwriter Tendai Maduwa after a screening of their film The Lord of Kush. The film tells the story of a clash of cultures between Islamic… More
Mbizo Chirasha
Writer and human rights activist Chirasha has faced multiple attacks, including kidnapping attempts and electrocution, and threats on his life for his work exposing corruption within the Zimbabwean government.… More
Tendai Maduwa
Director and producer Maduwa was arrested alongside co-filmwriter Kudakwashe Bwititi after a screening of their fim The Lord of Kush. The film tells the story of a clash of… More
Samantha Kureya Gonyeti
Armed, masked men who identified themselves as police officers kidnapped comedian and satirist Kureya (known as Gonyeti) on August 21, 2019. They abused her in an unknown location, and… More
Charges Must be Dropped Against Two Zimbabwean Filmmakers and Two Other Artists For Film Screening
“The Zimbabwean authorities’ targeting of filmmakers and culture professionals is an alarming attack on artistic freedom,” said Julie Trébault, Director of the Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) at PEN… More