Egypt Going to Extreme Lengths to Quash Dissent, Imprisoning Writers as Part of Broader Crackdown
“The Sisi regime is engaged in a desperate but nonetheless brutal attempt to silence even the slightest expression of dissent." More
Read Oleg Sentsov’s Acceptance Letter from the Solidarity of Arts Festival
"It's easy to be a revolutionary when revolution has already won. And much more difficult when the oppressor is still strong and the chances to win are small." More
Saudi Activist Rejects Deal to Recant Torture Allegations
“This attempt at coercion is a pathetic effort by the Saudi state to use propaganda to paper over its dire human rights reputation." More
He Is Not Forgotten: Celebrating Oleg Sentsov’s Birthday, His Sixth in Captivity
PEN America congratulates Oleg Sentsov on his 43rd birthday, which serves as a reminder to the world not to forget him in his plight. More
SIGN NOW: Demand Charges be Dropped Against Three Saudi Writer-Activists
Sign the petition to call on the Saudi Arabian government to drop all charges against these courageous writer-activists and 2019 Freedom to Write awardees. More
Writer, Activist, and 2019 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award Honoree Eman Al-Nafjan’s Release a Ray of Hope for Justice
"The PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award has for decades been a powerful tool to pry free courageous writers who take the greatest risks in order to express themselves. While… More
Egyptian Government Suing Author Alaa al-Aswany Part of Mission to Harass and Silence Writers
“Al-Aswany is being accused merely because of his criticism of President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. The government is blatantly pursuing a mission to harass writers and to censor voices reflecting the diversity and… More
PEN America to Honor Imprisoned Saudi Writer-Activists and Women’s Rights Champions Nouf Abdulaziz, Loujain Al-Hathloul, and Eman Al-Nafjan with the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award at 2019 Literary Gala
"We are proud to honor these drivers of change—Nouf Abdulaziz, Loujain Al-Hathloul, and Eman Al-Nafjan—for their fearless words and actions, and to send a strong signal that international pressure… More
Assassination of Novelist Alaa Mashzoub is a Blow to Creative Expression in Iraq
“It is critical that those who are willing to raise their voices and express dissident viewpoints in Iraq have the freedom to do so. Holding the perpetrators of this heinous… More
Disappearance of Australian Author Yang Hengjun Terrifying Sign of China’s Repression of Writers
“Yang’s seizure is yet another indicator that the Chinese government’s repression of free expression extends not only to its own citizens but to citizens of other countries." More
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We @PENamerica joined @RightsDissent in urging @Tony4WI to VETO the Wisconsin Felony Trespass Bill (AB426). Trespass already exists as a crime, & the bill's penalties threaten to chill protected #1A activity. JOIN US to protect #protest rights in WI! https://rightsanddissent.org/news/a-deeply-undemocratic-bill-sits-on-wisconsin-governor-evers-desk-he-should-veto-it/
A prominent former journalist in mainland China now teaching in Hong Kong said he had been attacked by mainland trolls and accused of supporting independence for the city after sharing posts about Hong Kong’s unrest: https://bit.ly/2CXYx7l via @SCMPNews.