NEW YORK—At PEN, our heavy hearts today are with Paris and Beirut in deepest condolence and solidarity after the horrific attacks that together took the lives of more than 150 people.

Such senseless violence is never justified. These atrocious acts by violent extremists aim to terrorize us all and to challenge the core freedoms on which democracy is founded—freedom of expression, of assembly, of religion. As we mourn the victims of the week’s brutal attacks, we call on leaders from every corner of the world to stand against intolerance and to redouble efforts to protect and strengthen these freedoms in the service of one humanity.

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Sarah Edkins, Deputy Director for Communications: [email protected], +1 646 779 4830