PEN America Condemns Ihar Losik’s Politically Motivated Sentencing
“Ihar Losik is guilty of nothing more than exercising his fundamental right to freedom of expression,” said PEN America’s Eurasia Director Polina Sadovskaya. More
The PEN Pod: On Reporting on Russia and the Climate for Foreign Journalists with Sarah Rainsford
“The climate for journalism and generally in Russia is closing down. It’s changing, it’s getting harder, it’s getting tougher. And for some reason, I appear to have been singled… More
Belarus Moves to Shut Down PEN Belarus
The Belarusian Justice Ministry has moved to shut down PEN America's partner organization PEN Belarus. More
The PEN Pod: On Authoritarian Regimes and Public Pressure Campaigns with Summer Lopez
“These governments are trying to send a clear message that you’re not safe or free, no matter where you go, to dissidents.” More
Joint Call Condemning the Belarusian Regime’s Raids on Journalists and Human Rights Activists and Demanding the Release of those Detained
We condemn the government of Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s relentless crackdown on journalists and human rights activists, and demand that Belarusian authorities cease their raids. More
Forced Landing of Jet in Belarus Constitutes Grave Threat to Journalists and Writers Worldwide
PEN America and its network of allies around the world are issuing a call for Raman Pratsevich's immediate release—and for the international community to take action against the grave… More
As Putin and Lukashenko Meet, Russia’s Role in Fueling Belarus Crackdown Can’t Be Overlooked
Do visa restrictions really matter to Alexander Lukashenko and his closest circle? And if not, then what is important to them? More
PEN America Calls for Belarus to Drop Charges Against Belarus Coordination Council
“This criminal case is yet another hit at the creative community in Belarus. The authorities should respect the voices of the people and immediately cease this bogus prosecution.” More
Dreams of Belarusian People About Alexander Lukashenko
“I collect dreams about dictators. My main interest, though, is collecting the dreams Belarusian people have about their dictator.” More
Belarus: PEN Calls for the Immediate Release of Political Prisoners
We are highly concerned about the systematic violations of the right to freedom of expression in the run-up to the presidential elections in Belarus. More
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PEN America On 
A teacher in Florida wanted to inspire Black children with pictures of Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Colin Powell and George Washington Carver.
He has resigned because, he alleges, a district employee removed the pictures as "age inappropriate."
https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2022/08/10/escambia-county-florida-teacher-said-pictures-black-american-leaders-removed-his-class/10276112002
This is the best summary of the alarming obscenity case to be heard Aug 30 in VA. Succinct, informative, historical. This is a "salvo" to test First Amendment defenses as @dankois notes persuasively. Read the whole thing. From @Slate: https://slate.com/culture/2022/08/book-banning-republicans-gender-queer-obscenity-supreme-court.html
Thousands of at-risk Colombian journalists, rights activists, and labor & indigenous leaders have had their privacy and security further violated by GPS trackers covertly installed on the armored vehicles the government provided for their protection: https://apnews.com/article/technology-colombia-journalism-government-and-politics-052267bdc0d65942344fa1cb8fa424f6 (1/2)
