Zarganar | Status: Conditional Release | Myanmar

Maung Thura (“Zarganar”) is a poet, opposition activist, and leading comedian in Burma. He began a career in political activism through comedy while completing his undergraduate degree. As a… More

Comedian and Poet Zargana Released

PEN International welcomes the release of leading comedian and poet Zargana as part of a widespread general amnesty. PEN calls for all restrictions against Zargana to be lifted, and… More

Serious Concerns for Zargana’s Health

International PEN is alarmed by reports that imprisoned leading comedian and poet Zargana is in poor health and has not been given full access to medical care and family… More

Zargana Sentenced to Total of 59 Years

International PEN is appalled by the additional 14-year prison term handed down to leading comedian and poet Zargana on November 27, 2008, added to the 45-year sentence he received… More

Zargana and Zaw Thet Htwe Charged

International PEN is seriously concerned about the charges of "defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion," among others, that have been made against comedian and… More

Zargana: Oblivion

OblivionAt night the moonbeams snap.The stars are suffocated.That maligned, unhappy barn owlscreeches out its grief.The old train on the trackshurtles to its destructionwheezing out its last breath. And I? I… More