Chinese Writer and PEN America Honoree Marks One Year in Detention
On the one-year anniversary of Chinese dissident writer Xu Zhiyong's detention, PEN America reiterates its call for his immediate, unconditional release. More
PEN America Welcomes Release of Saudi Activists, PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Awardees Loujain Al-Hathloul and Nouf Abdulaziz
“Today is a day to celebrate Nouf’s and Loujain’s release, and to honor the efforts of Loujain’s family, who have fought so tirelessly on her behalf." More
PEN America Welcomes Release of Saudi Activist, PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Awardee Loujain al Hathloul
“What a sweet day for Loujain, to finally be reunited with her family and get a glimpse of the freedom she so richly deserves.” More
Detention of Chinese Women’s Rights Activist an Appalling Escalation in Attempt to Silence Her
“This is an appalling escalation in the attempt to silence and punish Li Qiaochu for continuing to speak out about Xu's case and about her own treatment at the… More
Reports: China to Escalate Charges Against PEN America Honoree Xu Zhiyong
“Chinese officials are choosing this moment to double down on repression, using Xu to signify their imperviousness to global pressure to comply with international norms of free expression." More
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