Chinese Writer-Activist Liu Xiaobo Released on Medical Parole for Late-Stage Cancer
News that Chinese dissident writer and Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo is suffering from late-stage liver cancer and has been released from prison on medical grounds is a painful reminder… More
The PEN Ten with Idra Novey
Translating the words of the writers I most admire has always felt more daring to me than coming up with words of my own. It is such a complex… More
Fears for Chinese Poet Liu Xia’s Life After Troubling Phone Call to Friend
Reports that Chinese poet Liu Xia, who is spending her seventh year under house without charge, has made rare and risky contact with a fellow writer to lament her… More
June Featured Cases: Tiananmen, 27 Years Later
This June, our three featured cases are emblematic of the harsh and varied tactics China utilizes to stifle free expression and stamp out dissent. They also represent the resiliency… More
On World Poetry Day Take Action for Dissident Poets
World Poetry Day, marked each year on March 21, is an opportunity to celebrate poetry, the power and creativity of language and to speak out for those poets persecuted… More
Liu Xiaobo: Sentenced Six Years Ago Today
December 25 marks six years since poet, writer, and political activist Liu Xiaobo was sentenced to 11 years in prison in China "for allegedly inciting subversion of state power." More
PEN Podcast: Kwame Antony Appiah Introduces Writers Rally for Release of Liu Xiaobo
Kwame Anthony Appiah on Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Christmas Day, 2009. More
October Featured Cases: Women & Free Expression
Women’s free expression must be celebrated and utilized as a tool to further gender equality and women’s rights. This month, PEN features the cases of Liu Xia, Shiva Nazar… More
PEN Podcast: Reading of Liu Xia’s Poetry
Writers read the poetry of Liu Xia, who has been under extralegal house arrest since her husband, fellow poet and activist Liu Xiaobo won the Nobel Peace Prize in… More
Liu Xia: Rare Video Reading
October 8, 2015, marks five years since poet and artist Liu Xia was put under extralegal house arrest on the very day her husband, Liu Xiaobo, was named recipient… More