China Effectively Ends Career of Prominent Human Rights Lawyer in Continuing Crackdown on Free Speech
China’s sentencing of Pu Zhiqiang is the latest example in an ongoing crackdown by President Xi Jinping’s administration against activists, human rights lawyers, and writers. More
Iran: Upcoming appeal of prominent Kurdish filmmaker Keywan Karimi
PEN calls on Iranian authorities to accept filmmaker Keyvan Karimi's appeal and overturn his conviction and sentence of six years' imprisonment and 223 lashes. More
Secretary Kerry: Grant Humanitarian Parole for Group of Targeted Bangladeshi Bloggers
PEN and several leading organizations write an open letter to Secretary of State John Kerry to ask for humanitarian parole visas... More
Bill Introduced in U.S. Would Hold Azerbaijan Accountable for Free Expression Crackdown
The introduction of a bill in the U.S. Congress that would impose visa sanctions on Azerbaijan’s senior leadership is an important move to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its escalating… More
Chimamanda Adichie, Neil Gaiman, and More Join PEN in Urging President Obama to Press Saudi Arabia on Poet Sentenced to Beheading
NEW YORK—Seventy-one of the most prominent names in international literature and art have joined PEN America in an open letter to President Obama today, urging him to take up… More
Honduras: Ban on Julio Ernesto Alvarado’s Reporting Lifted
The Honduran state has finally suspended the court-imposed work ban that has prevented Globo TV journalist and PEN Honduras member Julio Ernesto Alvarado from presenting his nightly news show… More
Bangladesh: Social Media Platform Blocking Signals Further Free Expression Degradation
The blocking of access to Facebook, Viber, Whatsapp, and other similar services in Bangladesh indicates a further degradation of free expression in a country that has seen increased violent… More
PEN Testimony at Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Briefing on Bangladesh
Our director of Free Expression Programs, Karin Deutsch Karlekar, presented testimony to bring attention to the targeted killings of bloggers and publishers in Bangladesh. More
December Featured Cases: Writers at the Forefront of Exposing Corruption
During the month of December, we highlight three writers who have courageously used their right to free expression to break the chain of corruption in their countries. More
One Year On: Khadija Ismayilova’s Unjust Arrest and Sham Trial
December 5 marks one year since Azeri investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova's arrest. The unjust sentence of 7.5 years in prison handed down to her was confirmed and upheld at… More