Egyptian Web Designer Mustafa Gamal Ordered Freed
PEN America was heartened to learn today that Egyptian designer Mustafa Gamal has been ordered released from pre-trial detention in Egypt. More
PEN America-Led Coalition Demands Investigation Into Death of Egyptian Filmmaker
“The Egyptian government has again and again shown disregard for the fundamental right to freedom of expression.” More
Open Letter to the Egyptian Ministry of Justice
We, the undersigned, call for an open and transparent investigation into the jailing and death of Shady Habash, a 24-year-old filmmaker who died in custody. More
Galal El-Behairy, Imprisoned in Egypt
Galal El-Behairy is an Egyptian poet and songwriter. He was arrested and sentenced to prison for his criticism of the government expressed in his lyrics. More
Egyptian Filmmaker and Photographer Jailed for a Music Video Dies in Prison
"Artists take risks, but they should not have to pay with their lives." More
Egyptian Writer Detained for Protesting Prison Conditions That Could Worsen COVID-19 Spread
The arrest of Ahdaf Soueif and her family is an egregious attack on free expression. More egregiously, it shows the Egyptian government’s reflexive response to the coronavirus pandemic is… More
Egypt Raids Office of Independent Egyptian Journalists, Arrests Staff
"These reprehensible attacks are a clear attempt to silence what may be the last remaining bastion of independent reporting in Egypt." More
Egypt Going to Extreme Lengths to Quash Dissent, Imprisoning Writers as Part of Broader Crackdown
“The Sisi regime is engaged in a desperate but nonetheless brutal attempt to silence even the slightest expression of dissent." More
Egyptian Blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah’s Release Requirements Compromise the Freedom He Deserves
"Alaa Abd El Fattah's release from prison is cause for celebration, but we must not forget that he never should have spent a moment in jail for engaging in… More
Egyptian Government Suing Author Alaa al-Aswany Part of Mission to Harass and Silence Writers
“Al-Aswany is being accused merely because of his criticism of President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. The government is blatantly pursuing a mission to harass writers and to censor voices reflecting the diversity and… More
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PEN America On 
The Philippines will reimpose a stricter coronavirus lockdown in and around the capital for two weeks from Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced, as the country struggles to contain infections that have jumped to more than 100,000 cases. https://bit.ly/2Xq8apQ
Join PEN America & @usc_uschina on 8/5 for a discussion of PEN America's upcoming report on how Chinese censors have spread their influence across filmmaking in the U.S. — incl. recommendations for how Hollywood can chart a better path forward: https://bit.ly/30tYkFH.
Protesters took to the streets in cities across Russia on Saturday in support of jailed Khabarovsk former governor Sergei Furgal. Russian federal police detained protesters in the cities of Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Moscow. https://bit.ly/30m2Kye