Eskinder Nega, Zone 9, and Anti-Terrorism Laws: Ethiopia’s Free Expression Crisis
This past weekend marks one year since Ethiopian authorities conducted a sweeping arrest of a group of 6 young bloggers from the Zone 9 Collective and three other journalists.… More
Conviction of Al-Jazeera Reporters Marks Rapid Decline in Free Expression in Egypt
The conviction and sentencing of Al Jazeera journalists Mohamed Fahmy, Peter Greste, and Baher Mohamed this week punctuate a rapid decline for free expression in Egypt since the military… More
Khadija Ismayilova’s Trial Adjourned until July 31st
Khadija Ismayilova's trial continued today in Azerbaijan as Judge Ramella Allahverdiyeva overturned defense motions for judicial investigation of spurious charges. Ismayilova is expected to give her statement when the… More
Syrian authorities must drop charges against three human rights defenders and release all prisoners of conscience
Sixteen international organisations have joined the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) in welcoming the release of its president Mazen Darwish and in calling for all… More
Murder of Mexican Journalist Indicates Failure to Provide Most Basic Protections
The murder of photographer Ruben Espinosa in Mexico City on Friday indicates a failure to provide even the most basic protections for journalists. More
Iran: Blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki Must Not be Returned to Prison
Blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki was ordered to return to prison immediately on 29 June 2015. More
American Journalist Jason Rezaian Arbitrarily Detained in Iran, One Year On
As today marks the one-year anniversary of Jason Rezaian's arrest, PEN American Center calls for his immediate release. More
China Levels Charges Against Hong Kong Protesters in Attempt to Chill Free Expression
The charges of obstructing the police leveled against two Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters, Joshua Wong and Nathan Law, represent an often-used tactic of the Chinese government to bring politically… More
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The vagueness is the point. @ThePlumLineGS gets it right. Lawmakers had many chances to make the Don't Say Gay law clearer; they kept it vague. State guidance has also gone further than the original law, w/ worse penalties. Results are #Chilling #EdScare
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/01/27/desantis-school-libraries-dont-say-gay-critical-race-theory/
Still so proud to have been involved in this project, with amazing and dedicated collaborators @saliltripathi, @suketumehta, and Kiran Desai. Love for India and its promise and potential span decades, nationality, and continents. https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1618972267354136576
I am honored to be one of the judges for this year's PEN/ROBERT J. DAU SHORT STORY PRIZE FOR EMERGING WRITERS @PENamerica
https://pen.org/meet-the-2023-literary-awards-judges/