Pınar Selek | Status: In Exile | Turkey
In July 1998, writer, sociologist, and feminist Pınar Selek was arrested in connection with an explosion at the Istanbul Spice Bazaar, a tragedy that led to the deaths of… More
Life Prison Sentence for Cultural Rights Activist Osman Kavala is a “Dark Moment” for Human Rights and Democracy in Turkey
“Today is a dark moment for Turkey. The life sentence handed down to Osman Kavala is a devastating and unjust blow, not only to him and his family, but… More
Ahmet and Mehmet Altan | Status: On Trial | Turkey
Ahmet and Mehmet Altan were arrested in September 2016, as part of a wave of arrests of thinkers, writers, and journalists following the 2016 failed coup. More
Joint Letter on the 1000th Day in Detention of Osman Kavala
This letter was sent to the U.S. Department of State on July 23, 2020. Dear Assistant Secretary Destro and Acting Assistant Secretary Reeker: As representatives of Amnesty International USA, Freedom House,… More
Necmiye Alpay | Status: Released | Turkey
Necmiye Alpay is a Turkish translator, editor, journalist and staunch defender of free expression More
Joint NGO Statement Condemns Turkey’s Decision to Continue Detention of Osman Kavala
We, the undersigned freedom of expression and media freedom organizations, strongly condemn the court’s interim decision on the Gezi Park trial to continue the detention of civil society leading… More
Gezi Park trial’s second hearing confirms lack of rule of law in Turkey
We, the undersigned human rights and freedom of expression organizations, condemn the interim judicial decision taken in the second hearing of the Gezi Park trial. The indictment accuses 16… More
PEN America Calls for Reversal of Prison Sentences Imposed on Turkish Filmmakers Ertuğrul Mavioğlu and Çayan Demirel for Documentary Bakur
“Criminalizing Ertuğrul Mavioğlu and Çayan Demirel’s work is a serious blow for artistic freedom of expression in Turkey. Artists must have the freedom to explore any subject matter, regardless… More
PEN America Calls for Acquittals Ahead of Verdict Expected in Trial of Prominent Turkish Writers. Journalists and Rights Defenders
“The trial of these prominent writers, journalists, and rights defenders, concocted on the basis of spurious and politicized charges, has been a farce from the very start, intended to stifle… More
Alert Us
Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?
PEN America On 
Almost 50 libraries damaged or destroyed. Thousands forced to close. Russian soldiers have “seized or destroyed Ukrainian history books and literature they deemed to be ‘extremist’. Hundreds of textbooks removed from schools. Collections of irreplaceable manuscriptsbombed/burned. https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1598708232419262469
‘Farha’ Filmmakers Accuse Israel Of Attempting To Discredit Jordanian Oscar Entry, Condemn Moves To Get It Taken Off Netflix https://deadline.com/2022/12/farha-filmmakers-israel-jordan-oscar-netflix-1235189292/ via @Deadline
"Widespread destruction of #Ukraine’s museums, theatres & libraries, the persecution of writers & artists & other attacks against Ukrainian heritage expose the breadth of #Russia’s attempts to erase the country’s cultural identity"- @PENamerica @PenUkraine
https://ifex.org/report-exposes-putins-war-on-ukrainian-culture/