The PEN Pod: Tough Questions with Suzanne Nossel
“This [question of surveillance] is something we, as a free expression organization, have concerns with.” More
The PEN Pod: Keeping Hope Alive with Jewher Ilham
“Only standing up, speaking up, on my father’s behalf, on Uyghurs’ behalf, to work on something, then we can at least try to make a small change.” More
Ilham Tohti, Imprisoned in China
Ilham Tohti is a writer and professor from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Tohti’s defense of human rights has made him a target of the Chinese state. More
Publisher Gui Minhai Issued Lengthy Prison Sentence by Chinese Court
“Gui Minhai’s 10-year prison sentence is a wildly unjust punishment, based on absurd and politically motivated charges.” More
PEN America is Appalled by the Tragic Death of Renowned Uyghur Writer Nurmuhammad Tohti
PEN America: Nurmuhammad Tohti’s death is an appalling and tragic loss to the Uyghur literary community, at a time when the Chinese government is attempting to abolish the cultural… More
China: Uyghur pop musician and lyric writer detained, concerns for his well-being
PEN is seriously concerned for the well-being of Uyghur pop musician and lyric writer, Ablajan Awut Ayup (popularly known as Ablajan), who was taken into custody by state security… More
“Loving is a Serious Crime”—A Continued Call on Behalf of Liu Xia
“They should add a line to the constitution: ‘Loving Liu Xiaobo is a serious crime, a life sentence.’” More
Release of Tibetan Poet Shokjang an Overdue Welcome Development
“This is a joyful day for those who support free expression in Tibet, as a writer whose only crime was peacefully expressing himself is now out of prison. However,… More
Shokjang (Druklo) | Status: Conditional Release | China/Tibet Autonomous Region
Shokjang, a Tibetan writer and intellectual, was arrested in March 2015 and sentenced to three years in prison on February 17, 2016 for writing an essay and blogpost. More
Seizure of Publisher Gui Minhai an Outrageous Violation of Human Rights and the Rule of Law in China
China’s treatment of Gui Minhai demonstrates flagrant disregard for the rule of law and human rights. Their reported claims that Gui has been sharing ‘secret information’ with Swedish diplomats… More
Alert Us
Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?
PEN America On 
Arresting a reporter on assignment is a direct violation of the first amendment, which protects a free and independent press in this country. And it keeps happening. @NYPDnews: release Chris Mathias (@letsgomathias) immediately. https://twitter.com/huffpost/status/1266934050415095808
President Trump's demonization of the media comes to full fruition, as both cops and protesters target clearly identified journalists with violence and arrests, despite no provocation at all. #GeorgeFloydProtests https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/30/us/minneapolis-protests-press.html
It used to be that in a melee, a press pass was akin to a Red Cross symbol. It told all sides you were not a combatant and were to be left alone to do your vital work. No more. Reporter Tom Aviles of @wcco audibly identifies himself, yet is arrested. https://twitter.com/mplstvguy/status/1266921843652526080