Life Prison Sentence for Turkish Cultural Rights Activist Osman Kavala is Upheld
Turkish court’s decision upholding the life sentence against Osman Kavala illustrates the totality of the government’s crackdown on free expression and the breakdown of rule of law. Life behind… More
PEN America Calls for Release of Turkish Journalist Arrested Under Anti-Terrorism Laws for Airing an Opinion Critical of the Government
“PEN America stands in solidarity with Merdan Yanardağ and calls on Turkish authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally. Journalists and writers should be free to work and express… More
PEN America Raises Concerns Over Free Expression and Free Press Protections Ahead of Runoff Elections in Türkiye
(NEW YORK) – With the first round of voting in Turkish elections concluded and ahead of an expected runoff May 28, PEN America calls on Turkish authorities to release… More
International Groups Call on Turkey’s Parliament to Reject the “Disinformation” Bill as a Tool of Digital Censorship
PEN America joins international calls for Turkey’s parliament to reject the “disinformation” bill as a tool of digital censorship. More
PEN America Welcomes Chance to End Bogus Campaign Against Writer Orhan Pamuk
Today PEN America expressed relief that Turkey’s Ministry of Justice requested the end of legal proceedings against novelist and Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk. More
PEN America Demands Turkey Explain or Drop Charges Against Detained Musician
The arrest of Omar Souleyman may be the latest example of Turkey using charges of terrorism to silence artists. More
Reopening of Criminal Investigation Into Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk is Egregious Move to Silence Writers in Turkey
The reopening of a criminal investigation into Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk for writing in his latest novel Nights of Plague is an egregious attempt by Turkish authorities to silence… More
Five Years Post-Coup Attempt, Turkey’s Writers Face Ever-Deepening Crackdown on Free Expression
In the five years since a coup attempt in Turkey, the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has orchestrated a repressive, society-wide crackdown that has dramatically limited free expression… More
PEN America Welcomes Release of Turkish Journalist Ahmet Altan
PEN America today welcomed the news that Turkish journalist Ahmet Altan has been released from prison after spending more than four years behind bars. More
Turkey’s Crackdown on Press, Free Expression Mark “Grave Moment”
PEN America condemns Turkey’s latest attacks on journalists, as well as the broader crackdown on freedom of expression in the country over the past week. More