Chinese Authorities Poised to Put Activists Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi On Trial, PEN America and China Human Rights Defenders Warn
Chinese authorities may use the lull around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays to subject prominent human rights defenders to unfair trials while much of the international community is… More
PEN America Reacts to DarkMatter Lawsuit
“Al-Hathloul’s suit is a courageous contribution to establishing that accountability and our collective safety." More
PEN America: China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey Remain World’s Top Jailers of Writers
In PEN America’s annual census of detained writers worldwide, The Freedom to Write Index, the literary and free expression group found that in 2020, at least 273 writers, academics,… More
PEN America Welcomes Release of Turkish Journalist Ahmet Altan
PEN America today welcomed the news that Turkish journalist Ahmet Altan has been released from prison after spending more than four years behind bars. More
Bangladeshi Cartoonist Released on Bail, But Charges Must Be Dropped
Imprisoned Bangladeshi cartoonist Ahmed Kishore was granted bail today on health grounds after nearly a year in detention. More
PEN America Calls for Investigation into Death in Custody of Bangladeshi Writer
Bangladeshi writer and journalist Mushtaq Ahmed died in custody at Kashimpur High Security Prison on Thursday after nearly ten months in pre-trial detention. 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
Iranian Translator Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison
“We condemn the court's verdict against Arash Ganji in the strongest terms: to be imprisoned for 11 years for the ‘crime’ of translating a book is absurd and an… 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
Sentencing of Journalist, Rappers in Cambodia Signal Dire State of Free Expression
“Peaceful criticism is not a crime, whether the words be written, spoken, or rapped." More