PEN America and PEN Sydney Condemn Arrests of 3 More Iranian Writers, as Iran Continues Crackdown on Free Expression Targeting Writers and Artists
“The violent and targeted arrests of the IWA’s board members are designed to intimidate and silence one of the leading independent civil society voices inside Iran that steadfastly speaks… More
Iran Steps Up Repression of Rights, with Harsh Prison Sentences for Writers and Artists and Reported Torture and Abuse in Custody
“The Iranian government is putting writers’ lives at severe risk through its brazen violation of basic human rights that include systematic abuse and torture in custody, coupled with fast-tracked… More
Deep Concern Over Multiple Arrests of Writers, Artists, Musicians in Iran, Related to Repression Of Mass Protests Since September
“We are deeply concerned by the Iranian government’s forceful repression of free expression in response to this movement for democracy and human rights, and we condemn the targeted arrests… More
Call for Release of Six Tibetans, Including 3 Writers, Sentenced to Prison on National Security-Related Charges
A report by Radio Free Asia on Tuesday revealed that the detained writers were sentenced last month on charges of “inciting separatism” and “endangering state security.” Poet and essayist… More
PEN International and Artists at Risk Connection Condemn Detention of Artists and Writers in Cuba After Peaceful Protests
“There is no possible justification for the Cuban government to arbitrarily detain citizens including writers and artists for taking to the streets to peacefully demand their rights. The global… More
Artists at Risk Connection Condemns Arrests of Russia Poets Related to Anti-War Event
Julie Trebault, director of the Artists at Risk Connection, said: “Our hearts are with Artem Kamardin, Nikolay Dayneko, and Egor Shtovba and their friends and families during this difficult… More
PEN America Calls for Release of Imprisoned Iranian Writers and Artists as Anti-Government Protests Land Dissident Voices in Jail
“This case, emblematic of a broader crackdown on the IWA–which has consistently championed the essential right to free expression for all Iranians–is among the most egregious of the Islamic… More
Court in India Urged to Release Writer Vernon Gonsalves, as His Health Worsens
“The continued detention of Vernon Gonsalves puts his life at imminent risk and stems from arbitrary accusations which have yet to be proven, while he has languished for years… More
PEN America Calls for the Immediate Acquittal and Release of Mongolian Activist Munkhbayar Chuluundorj Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Protesting China-Mongolia Relations
“The harsh and unjust verdict in Munkhbayar Chuluundorj’s trial is a grave violation of the fundamental right to free expression,” says Liesl Gerntholtz, director of the PEN/Barbey Freedom to… More
Letter to President Droupadi Murmu on India’s 75th Anniversary of Independence
On India’s 75th anniversary of independence, writers and creatives urge Indian President Droupadi Murmu to defend free expression in India. More
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In this week's #PENTen interview, PEN America’s Los Angeles Program Director Jenn Dees speaks with @knguyenpoetry, author of Here I Am Burn Me (@writebloody Publishing, 2022). https://pen.org/the-pen-ten-an-interview-with-kimberly-nguyen/ #AuthorsOfTwitter
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Check out @pen_southafrica's podcast S6E3 in solidarity with #imprisonedwriter #JoséRubénZamora from #Guatemala. Out today. @penlac https://twitter.com/pen_southafrica/status/1600779908875444224