Following Russian Journalist Elena Kostyuchenko’s Account of Being Poisoned in Germany, PEN America Raises Concern About Transnational Attacks
“The apparent poisoning of journalist Elena Kostyuchenko is a threat against anyone writing and speaking truthfully—from anywhere—about the Russian government,” said Polina Sadovskaya, PEN America’s Eurasia and advocacy director.… More
Growing Repression and Persecution of Writers and Artists in Belarus, Ahead of Third Anniversary of Illegitimate Presidential Election
“Belarusians are enduring profound restrictions of their fundamental rights and their cultural heritage is under serious threat and the world is not doing enough to preserve it. If we… More
New Report: 16 Writers and Public Intellectuals Jailed in Belarus in 2022, with 33 Writers at Risk for Persecution
“Belarusian culture does not have a place in its own country,” said Polina Sadovskaya, Eurasia and Advocacy Director at PEN America. “In 2022, the jailing of writers and public… More
Sharp Criticism of Decision Designating Journalists Group in Belarus “Extremist”
The designation underscores the Belarusian authorities’ escalating attacks on independent journalism and free expression since Aleksander Lukashenka’s 2020 reelection, internationally regarded as “fraudulent.” More
PEN Centers Condemn Belarusian Court’s Verdict in Trial of Writer Ales Bialiacki
In response to news that Belarusian writer Ales Bialiacki was convicted to 10 years in prison—coinciding with International Writers for Peace Day—PEN Belarus, PEN Armenia, PEN Moscow, and PEN… More
Threat to Civil Society and News Organizations Under Proposed Law in Georgia that Would Hand Unfettered Monitoring and Investigatory Powers to the Country’s Government
PEN America said the proposed law runs counter to domestic and international human rights standards and called on members of the Parliament who introduced the proposed Transparency of Foreign… More
An Open Letter in Solidarity with Ukraine One Year Since Russia’s Invasion
We write to express our collective condemnation of Russia’s multi-pronged war against the Ukrainian people and culture. More
PEN America Decries Another Attempt by Georgia to Deny Entry to Russian Journalist
“The decision to deny Filipp Dzyadko entry to Georgia raises serious questions about Georgia’s space for free media and expression,” said PEN America's Eurasia and Advocacy Director Polina Sadovskaya. More
PEN America Condemns Ongoing Russian Efforts to Stifle Independent Media and Civil Society
“The Russian Federation is using every tactic in the book to silence criticism and open debate. Laws that define organizations as ‘undesirable,’ that limit their options to receive funding,… More
Five Year Prison Sentence Against Performance Artist in Russia Is “Unjust” Criminalization of Free Expression
PEN America called on the international community to speak out in support of Krisevich’s right to free expression. His works of protest art have long been targeted by Russian… More
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