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
Release of Imprisoned Egyptian Photojournalist Shawkan is a Long Overdue First Step towards Justice
“Nevertheless, even as we celebrate this very welcome news, we continue to stress that he should not have served even one day behind bars for doing his job as… More
Detention of Writer Ibrahim al-Husseini a Grievous Attack on Free Expression in Egypt
“While attacks on individual free expression in today's Egypt are nothing new, the detention and ill treatment of an elderly writer for his online comments is a disgrace,” said Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Director… More
Conviction of Photojournalist Shawkan is an Absurd Injustice
The conviction - for murder and membership in a terrorist organization - handed down to photojournalist Mahmoud Abou Zeid, known as Shawkan, is an absurd injustice. More
Three-Year Prison Sentence for Poet Galal El-Behairy is Another Blow for Freedom of Expression in Egypt
“To criminalize poetry and songs is to denigrate the most universal forms of human expression,” said Julie Trébault, PEN America’s Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) Director. More
Ahmed Naji | Status: Released | Egypt
Ahmed Naji was temporarily released from prison in Egypt on December 22, 2016, after his two-year prison sentence for “violating public modesty” was suspended by an appeals court on… More
Egypt’s Grim Blow to Freedom of Expression and Human Rights: The Tortured Poet Galal El-Behairy Must be Freed
The Egyptian poet Galal El-Behairy is currently detained and faces charges in the Military Court related to his latest book of poetry, The Finest Women on Earth. More
Egyptian Prosecutors’ Decision to Seek Death Penalty for Photojournalist Shawkan Political Theater at the Expense of Human Rights
"This show trial is in keeping with the Egyptian regime's complete and consistent disregard for even the most basic norms of justice and human rights. As a dedicated photojournalist,… More
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PEN America On 
Before our #PENOutLoud event on 10/14, we are bringing back this interview from @lithub with award-winning writer @ndennis_benn on her latest book PATSY. https://t.co/Cxgb5EI587. Join us in conversation with Nicole Dennis-Benn & Staceyann Chin TOMORROW: https://t.co/obL4o3czdt
In advance of their #PENOutLoud discussion TOMORROW at Strand Bookstore, we asked author Nicole Dennis-Benn (@ndennis_benn) about why she’s excited to be in conversation with @staceyannchin! Read the full interview here: https://t.co/tUgdH53nae.
As result of the student organized #butlerbannerproject, a banner featuring the names of female writers has been placed above the names of male philosophers currently engraved on Columbia University’s Butler Library: https://t.co/LkxJGBOGsk via @untappedcities.