Threat of Prison Sentence for Two Turkish Filmmakers Marks Another Blow to Free Expression in Turkey
“The campaign of intimidation against Çayan Demirel and Ertuğrul Mavioğlu and the criminalization of their work is an egregious violation of human rights, and yet another example of the… More
2012 PEN/Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award Winner Eskinder Nega to be Released After More Than Six Years in Prison in Ethiopia
“We are overjoyed at news that Eskinder has been pardoned and is to be freed to reunite with his family and return to his writing. We hope that his release is immediate… More
Polish President’s Attempt to Criminalize Language around the Holocaust an Alarming Attack on Free Expression
"This law would silence anyone wishing to engage in open discussion, journalistic reporting, or academic debate about a complicated and devastating period in history. It is precisely the wrong… More
Tougher Sentencing Guidelines for “Unlawful Assembly” in Hong Kong Troubling, in Spite of Dismissal of Pro-Democracy Activists’ Sentences
"The overall result of today’s decision is a scary one for the future of protest in Hong Kong, given the approval of sentencing guidelines that seemed to be geared… More
PEN America to Honor Edmund White, Edna O’Brien for Lifetime Achievement in Literature at February 20 Ceremony in New York
PEN America announced today that it will honor legendary author and LGBT cultural pioneer Edmund White with the annual PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction, and Irish… More
Bail Denied as Myanmar Authorities Begin Case Against Detained Reuters Journalists
"The use of archaic colonial laws to detain and charge Wa Lone and Moe Aung is a blatant attempt to punish investigative journalism and intrepid reporting. These charges are an absurd attack on… More
Order to Release Ravi Ragbir Does Not Mark End of His Ordeal or of Trump Administration’s Efforts to Silence Immigrants’ Rights Activists
The detention and deportation (or threat thereof) of immigrants’ rights activists under the Trump administration have raised serious concerns that those targeted are being punished for their speech and… More
Attacks Against Russian Group an Outrageous Assault on Human Rights and the Freedom to Report
Kadyrov’s threats and the attacks on Memorial’s offices underscore the context behind Oyub Titiev’s arrest. It is impossible to conclude anything other than that his arrest is an attempt… More
2018 PEN America Literary Awards Finalists Offer Literary Lens on Human Experience
The Literary Awards celebrate some of the greatest fruits of free expression—stories that inspire, spark empathy, and change minds. At a time when the fabric of our discourse is… More
Turkish Constitutional Court’s Ruling Ignored as Mehmet Altan Remains in Detention
The failure of the judiciary to uphold the rulings of the Constitutional Court is a transgression of Mehmet Altan’s intrinsic rights, and calls into question the independence of the… More