Decision to Drop Remaining Charges Against “J20” Protesters an Overdue but Important Victory for Right to Protest
On Friday July 6, federal prosecutors dropped felony charges against the final 38 defendants arrested following the 2017 Inauguration Day protests, or “J20” protests. More
PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award
Established in 2016, this award is designed to honor a writer imprisoned for his or her work. More
2012 PEN/Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award Winner Eskinder Nega to be Released After More Than Six Years in Prison in Ethiopia
“We are overjoyed at news that Eskinder has been pardoned and is to be freed to reunite with his family and return to his writing. We hope that his release is immediate… More
Polish President’s Attempt to Criminalize Language around the Holocaust an Alarming Attack on Free Expression
"This law would silence anyone wishing to engage in open discussion, journalistic reporting, or academic debate about a complicated and devastating period in history. It is precisely the wrong… More
Bail Denied as Myanmar Authorities Begin Case Against Detained Reuters Journalists
"The use of archaic colonial laws to detain and charge Wa Lone and Moe Aung is a blatant attempt to punish investigative journalism and intrepid reporting. These charges are an absurd attack on… More
Peaceful J20 Protesters Should Never Have Been Arrested
"This is certainly positive news, but these charges shouldn't have been brought in the first place, and 129 innocent lives have been upended. These peaceful protesters should never have… More
Trump’s Threat to “Take a Strong Look” at Libel Laws an Attack on U.S. Constitution
Under the First Amendment people are free to denigrate and offend the president or anyone else, a freedom with which the president should be well-acquainted given his own penchant… More
Equatorial Guinea: Release detained cartoonist Ramón Esono Ebalé
PEN is extremely concerned over the detention of cartoonist Ramón Esono Ebalé, alias Jamon y Queso, who was arrested on September 16 in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea.… More
Liu Xiaobo Must be Allowed to Seek Treatment Abroad
NEW YORK--In response to the statement from Western medical experts that it is safe to transport Liu Xiaobo abroad for cancer treatment, PEN America Executive Director Suzanne Nossel released… More
United Arab Emirates (UAE): Arbitrary detention of prominent writer and human rights defender reaches three months
Ahmed Mansoor al-Shehhi (أحمد منصور الشحي), a 47 year-old Emirati citizen, was reportedly arrested by dozens of uniformed security agents who broke into his home in the city of Ajman.… More