Ulitskaya Leads PEN America Delegation to Explore Narrowing of Russia’s Cultural Freedoms as 25th Anniversary of USSR Dissolution Looms
On January 25–29, PEN America will host a delegation of prominent Russian writers who are braving the currents of authoritarianism under President Vladimir Putin to stand up for free… More
Russia: Authorities Burn Books in Act Reminiscent of Totalitarian Regimes of the Past
Reports that Russian authorities in the Komi region have burned over 50 books and pulled over 400 more off college library bookshelves are a deeply disturbing sign of Russia’s… More
Iran: Another Poet’s Arrest Signals Creation of Repressive Blueprint for Free Expression
The arrest of poet Hila Sedighi in Tehran this week marks an acceleration in Iran’s crackdown on provocative cultural figures as the country prepares for elections next month. More
Joint Statement: PEN Joins Call Asking World Leaders to Support Strong Encryption
Today PEN American Center joined 195 experts, companies, and organizations in more than 35 countries in asking world leaders to support strong encryption and to reject any law, policy,… More
PEN Expert Available for Comment on Anniversary of Charlie Hebdo Attacks
Escalating efforts to narrow the space for free expression in 2015 give increasing relevance to writers, artists, and human rights organizations on the front lines of the battle to… More
Hong Kong: Disappearances of 5 Associated with Publisher Furthers Concerns about Free Expression
The mysterious disappearances of five men associated with a Hong Kong publisher known for its scathing exposés of Chinese officials drive increasing concern for the fading autonomy of the… More
China Expels French Journalist in Blatant Assault on Foreign Reporting
Gauthier wrote an article criticizing Chinese authorities’ efforts to draw a comparison between the terrorist attacks in Paris and the ongoing unrest in China’s Xinjiang province. More
China Effectively Ends Career of Prominent Human Rights Lawyer in Continuing Crackdown on Free Speech
China’s sentencing of Pu Zhiqiang is the latest example in an ongoing crackdown by President Xi Jinping’s administration against activists, human rights lawyers, and writers. More
PEN Joins Coalition Calling on Secretary Kerry to Grant Visas to Threatened Bangladeshi Bloggers
A coalition of free expression and human rights advocacy groups led by PEN American Center today released an open letter to the U.S. Department of State urging the swift… More
Bill Introduced in U.S. Would Hold Azerbaijan Accountable for Free Expression Crackdown
The introduction of a bill in the U.S. Congress that would impose visa sanctions on Azerbaijan’s senior leadership is an important move to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its escalating… More