Disappearance of Photographer Lu Guang a Troubling Attack on Artistic Freedom in China
"Unfortunately, Lu’s case is not unique. The Chinese government has a history of disappearing artists who use their practices as a platform to challenge and critique the regime’s policies.… More
House of Representatives Calls for Immediate Release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo
“The trial proceedings against Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo confirmed clearly that they were framed for uncovering the true story behind the massacre of 10 Rohingya… More
The Year of the Woman in Literature: Longlists for 2019 PEN America Literary Awards Announced
"With a record number of submissions to our Awards, including from small, medium, and large presses, the competition for this year’s awards is more intense than ever." More
Human Rights Groups Urge Google CEO to Discontinue Project Dragonfly
"If Dragonfly is launched in China, it will represent Google's elevation of profits over human rights. But more painfully, it will make Google complicit in the Chinese government's efforts… More
Including Language from Anti-Semitism Awareness Act in Government Spending Bill a Misguided Approach to Fighting Hate on Campus
"In the face of a recent surge of anti-Semitism on campuses, lawmakers rightly feel compelled to stand firmly against anti-Semitism, as well as other forms of hateful speech. Adopting this definition of… More
Arrest of 11 Cuban Artists an Intolerable Affront to Free Expression
“This repression is not new, but represents a continuation of the Cuban Ministry of Culture’s policy to intimidate and censor critical and independent artistic voices” - Julie Trébault, Director… More
Expulsion of Central European University from Hungary a Devastating Capstone on Campaign to Stifle Free Expression
“The continuing takeovers or closures of private news outlets, and the complete control over the public airwaves, suborning them to the interests of the governing party—these recall the days… More
Temple University Board Chairman’s Comments on Marc Lamont Hill Risk Undermining Academic Freedom
"The principle of academic freedom and the First Amendment offer protection for even the most objectionable speech. O'Connor's statement was not only unwarranted, it has caused concern and confusion in the academic… More
PEN America Files Friend of the Court Brief in Michigan Right to Literacy Case
“The complete failure of the state of Michigan to ensure a basic standard of literacy for these students is not only an outrage, it is also unconstitutional. The freedom… More
Ten Years’ Imprisonment for Chinese Novelist Writing Gay Sex Scenes an Outrageous Violation of the Freedom to Write
“Ten years’ imprisonment for the ‘crime’ of writing and self-publishing a book that dares to describe homosexual sex is an obvious and unjustifiable infringement on the freedom to write… More