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
The PEN Pod: On the Virtual Gala and the Beauty of Human Rights Work with Suzanne Nossel
“There’s something about individual cases of dissidents—these are human stories, faces, and individuals with families and life trajectories. When you can help them, it’s so concrete.” More
Amid Tumultuous Year, PEN America Virtual Gala Celebrates Acts of Courage and Bravery by Those Who Stand Up to Oppression
"I’m heartened to think that this assembly of not always like-minded but always like-hearted writers and thinkers and advocates—that our assembly tonight points to our power.” More
Police Threaten Chinese Women’s Rights Activist
“Threatening someone for speaking out about the people they love is a tactic for extortionists, not for governments that claim to respect the rule of law." More
China Bars Imprisoned Activist’s Access to Lawyers, Hiding Potential Mistreatment
“It is painfully obvious that authorities are repeatedly extending the investigation period into Xu’s case in order to deny him his legal rights under both international and Chinese law,… More
Pulitzer Winners, Prominent Writers Call for Release of Chinese Dissident
“Our letter is a clear reminder that writers around the world intend to speak out on behalf of one another." More
SIGN NOW: China Must Release Detained Essayist Xu Zhiyong
As representatives of the global literary community, we write to call for the immediate and unconditional release of essayist and legal scholar Xu Zhiyong. More
PEN America Appeals to UN on Behalf of Detained Chinese Writer
"We will continue to advocate for Xu until he is released, and we continue to call upon the Chinese government to drop these abusive and politically-motivated charges against him.” More
PEN America Condemns Formal Arrest of Writer and Civil Rights Advocate Xu Zhiyong
“By proceeding with these meritless charges of ‘subversion,’ the government is using the law as a tool to legitimize its suppression of dissidents.” More