Updated 3:35 pm EST with more context on visa
(WASHINGTON)— PEN America today condemned the cancellation of entry visas for Nigerian Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, saying the “abrupt and arbitrary” decision will further weaken the United States’ position as a leader on free expression and the open exchange of ideas with cultural figures from across the world.
Hadar Harris, managing director of PEN America’s Washington office, said: “Canceling Wole Soyinka’s multiple entry visa to the United States is deeply troubling, not only because it was an abrupt and arbitrary change in the normal visa process, but it has clear negative implications for free expression and cultural exchange with writers and thinkers around the world. The United States has historically been a haven for free speech and the open exchange of ideas. Sweeping and arbitrary changes made under the guise of “reform” will directly undermine the free flow of ideas and likely make other cultural figures fearful of coming to the United States. Soyinka is a Nobel Laureate, and a vocal critic of the current administration. At other moments, his voice (and those of artists, writers and other cultural figures) have been embraced, even when their opinions have been controversial. The revocation of Soyinka’s visa diminishes the country’s commitment to discussion on politics and other topics with major figures from abroad. PEN America believes we are stronger as a nation when writers like Wole Soyinka are able to share their stories and writings with U.S. audiences.”
According to reporting, Soyinka had been granted a visa last year by the Biden administration. He was told in a letter from the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos that his visa was being revoked because “additional information became available” after it was issued. The visa was also cancelled after the United States put Nigeria on the list of countries whose nationals no longer qualify for multi-year, multi-visit visas, and instead have to apply for new, single entry visas with a maximum three-month duration. Soyinka said earlier this year that the U.S. consulate in Lagos had called him in for an interview to reassess his visa, which he said he would not attend.
Soyinka, a renowned playwright and author, won the 1986 Nobel Prize for Literature,
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], 201-247-5057