Loujain Al-Hathloul Sentenced in Sham Saudi Trial
“The conviction of Loujain Al-Hathloul is a blatant attack on the most basic human rights of all people—particularly women—living in Saudi Arabia." More
ADVISORY: PEN America, Ms. Magazine Host Conversation on Imprisoned Iranian Activist Nasrin Sotoudeh
“The new documentary film NASRIN is an inspiring portrait of an indefatigable human rights advocate, who has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of the marginalized and… More
Amid Tumultuous Year, PEN America Virtual Gala Celebrates Acts of Courage and Bravery by Those Who Stand Up to Oppression
"I’m heartened to think that this assembly of not always like-minded but always like-hearted writers and thinkers and advocates—that our assembly tonight points to our power.” More
Barack Obama Receives 2020 PEN America Voice of Influence Award, Re-Embraces His Identity as a Writer
“My politics, my public life, and my more interior writing life have never been that far apart," More
Barack Obama and the Freedom to Write
“We want to make a more perfect union, [but] it’s not to say that America will ever be perfect. It is that we can make it more perfect.” More
“James Baldwin Didn’t Have to Go Out and Get Votes.” Obama Reflects on Race, Dialogue, and Disinformation in PEN America Interview
In an interview with PEN America, President Obama reflects on race, dialogue, and disinformation as the country confronts a new political future. More
Police Threaten Chinese Women’s Rights Activist
“Threatening someone for speaking out about the people they love is a tactic for extortionists, not for governments that claim to respect the rule of law." More
Iran Orders Women’s Rights Activist Nasrin Sotoudeh Back to Prison
(New York, NY) — PEN America today condemned Iranian authorities for ordering the re-imprisonment of women's rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh, winner of the 2011 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award.… More
China Bars Imprisoned Activist’s Access to Lawyers, Hiding Potential Mistreatment
“It is painfully obvious that authorities are repeatedly extending the investigation period into Xu’s case in order to deny him his legal rights under both international and Chinese law,… More
Pulitzer Winners, Prominent Writers Call for Release of Chinese Dissident
“Our letter is a clear reminder that writers around the world intend to speak out on behalf of one another." More
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