Belarus Approaches Another Undemocratic Election, as Arts and Culture Remains Underground
The courageous Belarusian artists and writers who continue to tell their stories, and to speak the truth, must not be ignored. More
PEN America Joins Belarusian PEN in Condemning Arrests of Writers
"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
PEN America stands in solidarity with our colleagues in Belarus as they face yet another encroachment on their free expression rights. More
Journalists, Booksellers Among Activists Arrested in Belarus Ahead of Protests
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
Belarusians Protest New Labor Law That Punishes Independent Writers and Artists
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
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
Alert Us
Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?
PEN America On 
NEW: PEN America has filed a legal brief against Puerto Rico's "fake news" law. We argue the bill provides insufficient carveouts to protect press freedom. Our full statement. https://bit.ly/2E2DHr0
Novels written by women using male pen names have been reissued using the authors' actual names to mark the 25th anniversary of the @WomensPrize for Fiction. https://bbc.in/3kI8Vop
Those released from prison and jails in less challenging times routinely face a series of daunting obstacles. Vol 8 of "Temperature Check" examines the heightened conditions of reentry in the time of COVID-19 through reportage, prose, and podcasts: http://bit.ly/3iAHIlC.