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PEN America Condemns Sentencing of Belarusian Philosopher Uladzimir Mackievic to Five Years in a Penal Colony After Closed-Door Hearing

Press ReleaseJune 27, 2022

“With each individual detained and incarcerated for their protests against Lukashenka, we see how the situation in Belarus deteriorates and grows more dire,” said Polina Sadovskaya, director of Eurasia… More

Suzanne Nossel headshot

The PEN Pod: On the Arrest of Raman Pratasevich and Free Speech on Social Media

InterviewJune 4, 2021

“This disturbing trend of reaching across borders to nab people that regimes see as a threat. . . [is] a new demonstration of how far these governments are willing… More

Olga Kavalkova campaigning on last day for collecting signatures in Minsk

Belarus Approaches Another Undemocratic Election, as Arts and Culture Remains Underground

Commentary
By: Polina Sadovskaya | July 27, 2020

The courageous Belarusian artists and writers who continue to tell their stories, and to speak the truth, must not be ignored. More

author Pavel Seviarynets

PEN America Joins Belarusian PEN in Condemning Arrests of Writers

Press ReleaseJune 23, 2020

"The Belarusian authorities' recent actions underscore their blatant disregard for the rule of law and the fundamental free expression rights of Belarusian citizens." More

PEN America Joins Belarusian PEN Center in Protest of Conviction of Poet Uladzimir Niakliaeu

November 8, 2017

PEN America stands in solidarity with our colleagues in Belarus as they face yet another encroachment on their free expression rights.  More

Map of Europe with Belarus highlighted

Journalists, Booksellers Among Activists Arrested in Belarus Ahead of Protests

AdvocacyMarch 22, 2017

The violent detention of journalists, literary figures, and activists by authorities in Belarus ahead of planned demonstrations is an effort to silence voices of opposition and a violation of… More

Protests in Belarus

Belarusians Protest New Labor Law That Punishes Independent Writers and Artists

Advocacy
By: Polina Sadovskaya | March 21, 2017

Belarussians take to the streets to protest a newly introduced law meant to tax those not involved in state enterprises, which activists say is meant to target independent writers… More

Belarusian PEN Center: The Struggle for Writers’ Independence

Interview
By: PEN America | November 18, 2015

Introducing our new series showcasing the work of the over 140 centers that form PEN International. This month we speak to the Belarusian PEN Center on free expression challenges… More

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  • What's New
Osman Kavala stands in front of shelf with books and files in an office
Life Prison Sentence for Turkish Cultural Rights Activist Osman Kavala is Upheld
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of September 25
books on a book shelf
PEN America Celebrates Translators for Bridging Divisions Through Words
Hollywood Artists Join Writers for Banned Books Week Day of Action Oct. 7

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