Narges Mohammadi Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in Absentia
Imprisoned Iranian writer and activist Narges Mohammadi received the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize in absentia at Oslo City Hall today. More
High-Profile Supporters Join PEN America to Call for the Release of Narges Mohammadi Ahead of Nobel Prize Ceremony
Hundreds of the world’s most prominent writers, artists, human rights activists, allies, and civil society organizations have signed on to an open letter created by PEN America calling for… More
Aleksandra Skochilenko Sentenced to 7 Years for Supermarket Art Project
Russian artist, musician and author Aleksandra (Sasha) Skochilenko was sentenced to seven years in prison today for “knowingly spreading false information about the Russian Armed Forces. More
Commemorating the Day of the Imprisoned Writer
Authoritarian governments instinctively fear writers because of their ability to inspire people to interrogate the present and dream of a better future. Instead of valuing the positive role writers… More
Sotoudeh’s Injuries at the Hands of Iranian Police More Severe Than Initially Believed
America expresses its great concern about the health and safety of human rights lawyer, writer, and 2011 PEN/Freedom To Write Award honoree Nasrin Sotoudeh. More
Arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh is an Outrage
Nasrin Soutudeh imprisoned once again for expressing solidarity with the family of a teenager girl who lost her life, apparently for the crime of refusing to cover her hair. More
Narges Mohammadi, The Iranian Writer Speaking Out From Behind Bars
Narges Mohammadi has been a target of Iranian authorities for more than 30 years. She was arrested twice at meetings of a political student group. More
PEN America Applauds Nobel Peace Prize for Writer and Human Rights Activist Narges Mohammadi
Nobel Peace Prize awarded to imprisoned Iranian writer, human rights activist, and 2023 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award honoree Narges Mohammadi recognizes her singular courage in standing against government… More
On Fifth Anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder, PEN America Decries Continuing Lack of Justice
The plot against Khashoggi was never just about silencing one individual; it was a direct attack on freedom of expression and the written word more broadly, and the impunity… More
Life Prison Sentence for Turkish Cultural Rights Activist Osman Kavala is Upheld
Turkish court’s decision upholding the life sentence against Osman Kavala illustrates the totality of the government’s crackdown on free expression and the breakdown of rule of law. Life behind… More
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