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
Arrest of Another Journalist in Egypt Casts Further Doubt Over Country’s Commitment to Free Expression
"The arrest of Karim Asaad and ongoing detention of Hisham Kassem once again spotlight Egypt’s dire record on freedom of expression and cast serious doubts on the government’s broader… More
Growing Repression and Persecution of Writers and Artists in Belarus, Ahead of Third Anniversary of Illegitimate Presidential Election
“Belarusians are enduring profound restrictions of their fundamental rights and their cultural heritage is under serious threat and the world is not doing enough to preserve it. If we… More
New Arrest of Journalist in Yemen Renews Fears from Ongoing Threats Against Free Expression
"Authorities in Taiz should release Jameel al-Samat at once, and all relevant authorities in Yemen must stop attacks and detentions of those who peacefully express themselves.” More
PEN America Condemns Added One Year Prison Sentence Imposed Unjustly on Iranian Human Rights Defender Narges Mohammadi
“The new charges against Narges Mohammadi fly in the face of freedom of expression, and are a cynical tactic aimed at silencing her brave and fearless voice from speaking… More
“Unjustified” Mass Arrests at Hong Kong Gathering for Tiananmen Square Massacre Anniversary
“Hong Kong authorities demonstrated on June 4 they are in lock step with Beijing in attempting to erase the memory of the Chinese Communist Party’s massacre of peaceful pro-democracy… More
New Report: 16 Writers and Public Intellectuals Jailed in Belarus in 2022, with 33 Writers at Risk for Persecution
“Belarusian culture does not have a place in its own country,” said Polina Sadovskaya, Eurasia and Advocacy Director at PEN America. “In 2022, the jailing of writers and public… More
Saudi Arabia Among World’s Most Repressive Countries for Free Expression, with 20 Writers Jailed and Others Facing Persecution
Justin Shilad, PEN America’s research and advocacy lead for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “Saudi Arabia’s continued presence in the PEN America Freedom to Write index points… More
China Again the World’s Largest Jailer of Writers, with Free Expression Under Continued Assault
“Writers have faced the full might of the Chinese Communist Party’s security apparatus,” said Angeli Datt, who leads PEN America’s China research and advocacy. “They’ve been harassed, disappeared, detained,… More