Iran Steps Up Repression of Rights, with Harsh Prison Sentences for Writers and Artists and Reported Torture and Abuse in Custody
“The Iranian government is putting writers’ lives at severe risk through its brazen violation of basic human rights that include systematic abuse and torture in custody, coupled with fast-tracked… More
PEN America Calls for Release of Imprisoned Iranian Writers and Artists as Anti-Government Protests Land Dissident Voices in Jail
“This case, emblematic of a broader crackdown on the IWA–which has consistently championed the essential right to free expression for all Iranians–is among the most egregious of the Islamic… More
PEN America Condemns Arrests of Iranian Filmmakers as a “Brazen Violation” of Human Rights
“The Iranian government’s decision to detain Mohammad Rasoulof, Mostafa Aleahmad, and Jafar Panahi marks a brazen violation of their human right to free expression and speech,” said Julie Trébault,… More
Communication to the UN Commission on the Status of Women on the Persecution of Iranian Women’s Rights Defenders
We joined Iranian human rights organizations to alert the UN CSW to the persecution and prosecution of women human rights defenders in Iran. More
Poet’s Arrest Latest in Iran’s Crackdown on Writers
"The Iranian authorities’ detention of Amin Moradi—one of at least five members of the IWA jailed in 2020—demonstrates a pattern of baselessly portraying writers as anti-state actors in order… More
Iranian Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Temporarily Released From Prison; Requires Urgent Care
(New York, NY) — PEN America welcomes the release of Nasrin Sotoudeh—lawyer, women’s rights activist, and PEN America’s 2011 Freedom To Write Award honoree—on a temporary medical furlough on… More
Iran Unjustly Jails Three Writers Amid Pandemic
"Forcing Baktash Abtin, Keyvan Bajan, and Reza Khandan-Mahabadi behind bars while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sweep through Iran’s prisons is not only a blatant and appalling violation of… More
PEN America Issues Urgent Call to Release Nasrin Sotoudeh Amid Pandemic
"Nasrin's condition is critical and her life hangs in the balance, but her spirit remains unbroken and her calls for justice are reverberating around the world." More
Health of Iranian Activist Hunger Striker Deteriorating
"We are heartbroken to see Nasrin’s health deteriorate day by day while imprisoned on unjust charges in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison." More
Alert Us
Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?
PEN America On 
Thursday from 2-3 pm ET, our friend @BryanAlexander will be joined by authors Steven M. Bloom, AVP, Government Relations, the @ACEducation, and Jeremy C. Young, Senior Manager, Free Expression and Education at @PENamerica to discuss academic freedom. https://shindig.com/login/event/acepenguide
On March 25th, join us as we team up with @BlackVotersMtr, @RYHTexas, @TPHDallas for a discussion on the importance of accessible and accurate news to empower civic engagement – featuring @evadcoleman @ldallen.
https://pen.org/event/panel-discussion-at-the-potters-house-of-dallas-fake-news-or-not/
In Tallahassee for Library Day at the Capitol. #iloveschoollibraries #FREADom @FLFreedomRead