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Demonstration in Barcelona against Pablo Hasél's incarceration. Photo Credit: Jordiventura96, Wikipedia Commons

Jailing of Spanish Rapper Demonstrates Need for Reform of Country’s Gag Law

Press ReleaseFebruary 19, 2021

PEN America today condemned the arrest of Spanish rapper Pablo Hasél, detained under a draconian gag law for his lyrics and social media posts. More

image of cambodia's peace palace

Sentencing of Journalist, Rappers in Cambodia Signal Dire State of Free Expression

Press ReleaseDecember 24, 2020

“Peaceful criticism is not a crime, whether the words be written, spoken, or rapped." More

Cameroonian rapper Valsero

PEN America to Monitor Trial of Unjustly Incarcerated Cameroonian Rapper

Press ReleaseOctober 3, 2019

PEN America has called his persecution an “inexcusable violation of artistic freedom of expression,” and says the charges must be dropped immediately. More

Cameroonian rapper Valsero

Cameroonian Rapper and Activist to Appear Before Court, Could Face Death Penalty

Press ReleaseSeptember 5, 2019

"This is clearly a targeted attempt to silence an internationally known and beloved rapper who strives, both through his music and his activism, to critique the government and inspire… More

DARE: U.S. News Outlets Block European Readers Over New Privacy Rules

News DigestMay 25, 2018

American news outlets block access to their websites from Europe rather than comply with strict new European data privacy laws. Privacy concerns arise over voice-activated "assistants" in the home… More

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  • What's New
Freedom to Read statement
Banned Books Week 2023 Open Letter and Call to Action: We Believe in the Freedom to Read
Hands hold up a sign of Jamal Khashoggi with the night sky in the background
On Fifth Anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder, PEN America Decries Continuing Lack of Justice
Osman Kavala stands in front of shelf with books and files in an office
Life Prison Sentence for Turkish Cultural Rights Activist Osman Kavala is Upheld
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended and Celebrated Free Expression The Week of September 25

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