Israel: End use of administrative detention to detain journalists
PEN is calling on the Israeli authorities to end the practice of administrative detention against journalists and other writers. More
Thailand: British rights activist faces defamation trial
PEN condemns a Bangkok court’s January 18 decision to indict migrant rights activist Andy Hall on charges of criminal defamation and computer crimes in connection with a report published… More
Release of Washington Post Reporter Won’t Close the Book on Free Expression in Iran
As we celebrate Jason’s homecoming, we need to redouble pressure on Tehran to uphold the rights of Iranians who suffer for expressing their opinions. More
Russia: Authorities Burn Books in Act Reminiscent of Totalitarian Regimes of the Past
Reports that Russian authorities in the Komi region have burned over 50 books and pulled over 400 more off college library bookshelves are a deeply disturbing sign of Russia’s… More
Iran: Another Poet’s Arrest Signals Creation of Repressive Blueprint for Free Expression
The arrest of poet Hila Sedighi in Tehran this week marks an acceleration in Iran’s crackdown on provocative cultural figures as the country prepares for elections next month. More
Joint Statement: PEN Joins Call Asking World Leaders to Support Strong Encryption
Today PEN American Center joined 195 experts, companies, and organizations in more than 35 countries in asking world leaders to support strong encryption and to reject any law, policy,… More
China: Prominent author, Wang Lixong, barred from travelling
PEN is deeply concerned at the news that prominent Chinese author Wang Lixiong was barred from traveling to Japan on 16 December 2015 apparently due to concerns that his… More
China Effectively Ends Career of Prominent Human Rights Lawyer in Continuing Crackdown on Free Speech
China’s sentencing of Pu Zhiqiang is the latest example in an ongoing crackdown by President Xi Jinping’s administration against activists, human rights lawyers, and writers. More
Iran: Upcoming appeal of prominent Kurdish filmmaker Keywan Karimi
PEN calls on Iranian authorities to accept filmmaker Keyvan Karimi's appeal and overturn his conviction and sentence of six years' imprisonment and 223 lashes. More
PEN Joins Coalition Calling on Secretary Kerry to Grant Visas to Threatened Bangladeshi Bloggers
A coalition of free expression and human rights advocacy groups led by PEN American Center today released an open letter to the U.S. Department of State urging the swift… More
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