PEN at UNESCO Freedom of Expression Conference – Day 2
The second day of the UNESCO conference on Freedom of Connection, Freedom of Expression in Marrakech featured more heated debate and discussion. I presented PEN's Declaration on Digital Freedom,… More
Remember Tal
Two years ago today, Tal al-Mallouhi, a student, poet, and blogger who was detained in Damascus in late December 2009, was sentenced to five years in prison for “divulging… More
PEN’s Declaration on Digital Freedom goes to Marrakech
After a 24-hour journey, I've arrived in Marrakech, Morocco to participate in UNESCO's Freedom of Connection, Freedom of Expression conference (Liberté de connexion, liberté d'expression), which will examine the… More
Inching Toward Accountability?
Last week's confirmation hearing for John Brennan offered a small, and not especially satisfying, exercise in public accountability. But at least some of the big questions were asked. More
A Lunar New Year in Flames
The Lunar New Year begins this weekend, but in Tibet, where 86 Tibetans have self-immolated in the last year as a last-ditch effort to be heard, celebrations will be… More
A Literary Festival in Myanmar?
The Irrawaddy Literary Festival, organized by the wife of the British ambassador to Myanmar, features an impressive lineup of foreign writers, but what’s even more exciting is the roster… More
Pre-Emptive Strike Against Journalists in Iran
PEN is following troubling developments in Iran, where authorities appear to have launched a pre-emptive strike on journalists in advance of the upcoming 2013 elections. More
PEN Case Studies in Digital Freedom – Targeting Individuals
On December 24, 2012, writer Turki al-Hamad was arrested in Saudi Arabia for posting several tweets on Twitter in which he criticized Islamists. Al-Hamad is a political analyst and… More
Nasrin Sotoudeh Returns to Prison
Nasrin Sotoudeh was returned to Evin Prison late Monday night after a short, three-day furlough, her husband Reza Khandan reports. On a Facebook page dedicated to Nasrin's release, Reza… More
Nasrin Sotoudeh Temporarily Released From Prison
We were thrilled to learn that Nasrin Sotoudeh, winner of the 2011 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, was temporarily released from Evin Prison today and reunited with her… More