Letter Signed by 44 Writers Calls On President Biden to Raise Grave Human Rights Concerns on Trip to Saudi Arabia
President Joseph Biden The White House Washington, DC July 5, 2022 Dear President Biden, We the undersigned writers, journalists, creative artists, and supporters of PEN America, are writing to urge you to raise your… More
PEN America Reacts to DarkMatter Lawsuit
“Al-Hathloul’s suit is a courageous contribution to establishing that accountability and our collective safety." More
Virtual Solidarity Reading to Honor Imprisoned Women Writers and Activists
On Thursday, May 27, PEN America—in partnership with Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Amnesty International USA, and the makers of the documentary film NASRIN—will host a virtual reading in… More
PEN America Welcomes House Passage of Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act
In a strong bipartisan vote Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021. More
Saudi Official’s Death Threat Against UN Investigator Shows “Outright Lawlessness”
It is hardly surprising that the regime behind his killing would view her work as a threat, but the horrifying revelation that a Saudi official threatened to murder Callamard… More
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel Testifies in the House on Human Rights and Saudi Arabia
“The regime’s determination to hunt down dissenters wherever they are instills a sense of fear from which there is no escape, even far beyond Saudi borders.” More
PEN America, POMED, Human Rights First, and the Committee to Protect Journalists Respond to Release of ODNI Report on the Murder of Jamal Khashoggi
PEN America joined POMED, Human Rights First, and CPJ in calling the U.S. government release of a report on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi “an essential starting point.” More
PEN America Welcomes Release of Saudi Activists, PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Awardees Loujain Al-Hathloul and Nouf Abdulaziz
“Today is a day to celebrate Nouf’s and Loujain’s release, and to honor the efforts of Loujain’s family, who have fought so tirelessly on her behalf." More
PEN America Welcomes Release of Saudi Activist, PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Awardee Loujain al Hathloul
“What a sweet day for Loujain, to finally be reunited with her family and get a glimpse of the freedom she so richly deserves.” More
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Thank you to these authors for standing up and speaking up. @LindaSuePark Ami Polonsky @ElloEllenOh to save young people's lives and fight for their #fREADom to have access to books that reflect their reality and provide hope. Thanks to @FLFreedomRead @diversebooks @PENamerica https://twitter.com/FLFreedomRead/status/1600529718855491586
‘Putin has repeatedly claimed that Ukrainian culture and language simply don’t exist. By targeting art museums, music halls, libraries, theaters, and historical sites, he attempts to make it so.’
Brilliant @ayadakhtar for @PENamerica https://pen.org/on-war-and-cultural-erasure/
This is a worry in Tx upcoming legislative session that a punitive state law will lead districts to overreact and censor themselves out of fear. (like this district in MO removing The Hate U Give). @penamerica @uabookbans https://www.emissourian.com/local_news/st-clair-district-pulls-book-from-library-shelves-as-schools-statewide-grapple-with-new-state/article_f624eaa4-7681-11ed-b2ee-b7df4d46e30a.html