2021 Freedom to Write Honoree Keyvan Bajan Is Released from Prison in Iran After Nearly One And a Half Years
Iran is among the world’s most restrictive countries for freedom of expression. In 2020, PEN America found that Iran imprisoned the fourth-highest number of writers and public intellectuals in… More
IRAN: Writer and journalist released after almost 10 years in prison
PEN welcomes news of the release of prominent Iranian journalist and writer Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, who was released on May 12, 2017. Kabudvand was serving a 10-year prison sentence on… More
Shahla Lahiji | Status: Released | Iran
The first woman to run a publishing house in Iran, Shahla Lahiji is one of 19 Iranian writers and intellectuals prosecuted in Tehran for participating in an academic and… More
IRAN: Serious Concern for Health of Imprisoned Filmmaker Keywan Karimi
PEN is seriously concerned for the health of imprisoned filmmaker Keywan Karimi. The prominent Kurdish filmmaker, who has been in prison since 23 November 2016, is in need of… More
July Featured Cases: Fighting for LGBT Equality
July’s featured cases represent some of the horrifying consequences of simply expressing one’s sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), of working towards acceptance and understanding of individuals’ SOGI, and… More
Joint Letter to Rouhani: Secure Release of Iranian Cartoonist Atena Farghadani
PEN American is among 40 rights groups who have signed a letter to President Hassan Rouhani below, asking him to work with Iran’s judiciary to release cartoonist Atena Farghadani. More
Release of Washington Post Reporter Won’t Close the Book on Free Expression in Iran
As we celebrate Jason’s homecoming, we need to redouble pressure on Tehran to uphold the rights of Iranians who suffer for expressing their opinions. More
Iran: Another Poet’s Arrest Signals Creation of Repressive Blueprint for Free Expression
The arrest of poet Hila Sedighi in Tehran this week marks an acceleration in Iran’s crackdown on provocative cultural figures as the country prepares for elections next month. More
Iran: Jason Rezaian’s Health Deteriorates, PEN Demands His Immediate Release
Reports that Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian is in immediate danger as he marks 500 days in Iran’s Evin prison should result in his unconditional release from detention, PEN… More
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Don't miss March 23's Future Trends Forum where @ACEducation's Steven M. Bloom and @PENAmerica's @jeremycyoung—lead authors of a new guide to academic freedom—discuss how academic freedom is changing in today's fraught political environment.
Join online: https://shindig.com/login/event/acepenguide
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/