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
Chimamanda Adichie, Neil Gaiman, and More Join PEN in Urging President Obama to Press Saudi Arabia on Poet Sentenced to Beheading
NEW YORK—Seventy-one of the most prominent names in international literature and art have joined PEN America in an open letter to President Obama today, urging him to take up… More
Bangladesh: Social Media Platform Blocking Signals Further Free Expression Degradation
The blocking of access to Facebook, Viber, Whatsapp, and other similar services in Bangladesh indicates a further degradation of free expression in a country that has seen increased violent… More
CLEGG, COATES, FLOURNOY, AND ROBINSON LONGLISTED FOR PEN LITERARY AWARDS
NEW YORK—PEN American Center this week announced the longlists for the 2016 PEN Literary Awards, which include works by literary agent Bill Clegg for his debut novel, Ta-Nehisi Coates… More
Despite Reform, Expression in Myanmar Still Not Free, According to New PEN Report
New report calls on Aung San Suu Kyi government to protect free speech as pillar of democracy. More
Iran: Jason Rezaian’s Health Deteriorates, PEN Demands His Immediate Release
Reports that Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian is in immediate danger as he marks 500 days in Iran’s Evin prison should result in his unconditional release from detention, PEN… More
Khadija Ismayilova Conviction Upheld in Sham Proceedings in Azerbaijan
A court ruling upholding the conviction of acclaimed investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova in Azerbaijan this week marks another grim chapter in an orchestrated government quest to silence her, PEN… More