PEN America Urges Türkiye to Withdraw Foreign Agents Law from Consideration
Pro-government media outlets have reported that the bill, which will soon be formally introduced in parliament for debate, will expand the definition of espionage to include influencing public opinion. More
Record Number of Writers Jailed Worldwide in 2023
There were 339 writers from 33 countries jailed in 2023, an increase of 62 writers compared to 2022 and 101 more than in 2019. More
Turkish government must stop decades-long prosecution of Pınar Selek, now facing life in prison
PEN America urges the Turkish government to dismiss all charges against renowned sociologist and writer, Pınar Selek, ahead of her hearing at the Istanbul Criminal Court. More
Turkey: International groups condemn fifth imprisonment order against journalist Barış Pehlivan
The undersigned media freedom, freedom of expression, human rights, and journalists’ organisations strongly condemn the latest incident of judicial harassment against journalist Barış Pehlivan and reiterate calls to the… More
New Report Calls for Greater Protections for Threatened Artists on the Frontlines of Social and Political Change Worldwide
“With their unique ability to challenge dominant narratives, bring people together, and foster hope in a brighter future, socially engaged artists are a critical part of the battle to… More
Türkiye: End the decades-long judicial harassment of PEN member Pınar Selek
PEN calls on the authorities of Türkiye to end their decades-long harassment of Selek and to unconditionally drop all charges against her. More
Jamal Khashoggi | Status: Murdered | Saudi Arabia
Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian journalist who had been exiled in the U.S. since mid-2017, disappeared while visiting the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2, 2018; … More
Pınar Selek | Status: Displaced/In Exile | Turkey
In July 1998, writer, sociologist, and feminist Pınar Selek was arrested in connection with an explosion at the Istanbul Spice Bazaar, a tragedy that led to the deaths of… More
Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Ahmet Nesin, and Erol Önderoğlu | Status: On Trial | Turkey
Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Ahmet Nesin, and Erol Önderoğlu are human rights defenders and journalists. On June 20, 2016, they were arrested and questioned about their involvement in a freedom… More
Ragip Zarakolu | Status: Displaced/In Exile | Turkey
Ragip Zarakolu, director and owner of Belge Publishing House and a longtime activist against censorship, is on trial for "aiding and abetting an illegal organization" under Turkey's sweeping anti-terror… More