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
PEN America Condemns Continuous and Unjust Persecution of the Popular Rappers in Russia
Targeting rappers for their music part of ongoing assault on dissidents, artists, and human rights organizations. 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
PEN America: China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey Remain World’s Top Jailers of Writers
In PEN America’s annual census of detained writers worldwide, The Freedom to Write Index, the literary and free expression group found that in 2020, at least 273 writers, academics,… More
China Bars Imprisoned Activist’s Access to Lawyers, Hiding Potential Mistreatment
“It is painfully obvious that authorities are repeatedly extending the investigation period into Xu’s case in order to deny him his legal rights under both international and Chinese law,… More
Turkey Arrests 93 in Raid on Turkish Music Collective’s Cultural Center
“These arrests are yet another demonstration that freedom of expression does not exist for Turkish musicians whose lyrics criticize the government." More
PEN America Decries Detention of Belarus Demonstrators Following National Strike
PEN America continues to decry the Belarusian government's arrest of demonstrators, including leading writers and other cultural figures in the country. More
Filmmaker, CUNY Student Detained Unjustly in Egypt
"How many more artists must face threats to their lives for merely expressing themselves?" More
Detention of Chinese Scholar Is Attempt to Silence Dissent
"With these preposterous accusations, President Xi and the Chinese authorities have once again made clear that the freedom to write hinges on blind devotion to Xi’s mandate and policies." More
PEN America: China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey Are World’s Worst Jailers of Writers
"The Index spotlights governments’ nefarious will to suppress truth and control the public mind by silencing writers who dare challenge authority." More
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This week, PEN America and a delegation of Ukrainian writers and human rights defenders met with members of Congress. Thank you @SenWhitehouse, @RepMcGovern, and @RepCohen!
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