Press Releases
PEN America experts are available for interviews with the press. Please direct inquiries to Suzanne Trimel, Senior Advisor, Communications and Media, at [email protected].
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Bipartisan Support for Oleg Sentsov’s Release Comes as Hunger Strike Approaches 40th Day
“We are heartened by bipartisan support from Senators Roger Wicker (R-MI) and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) for Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov." More
US Withdrawal from UN Human Rights Council Cedes Leadership on Human Rights to “Cynics and Subverters”
"For the U.S. to quit now is to abdicate American leadership on free expression and human rights worldwide, ceding the playing field to the cynics and the subverters." More
Re-arrest and Detention of Nasrin Sotoudeh a Vindictive Attempt to Silence Human Rights Activism
“The arrest and conviction of Nasrin Sotoudeh is indicative of the draconian measures the Iranian government will take to silence critical voices.” More
Detention of American Student in Vietnam a Direct Infringement on Right to Peaceful Assembly
“Vietnam continues to demonstrate its unwillingness to respect even the most basic human rights of free expression and assembly." More
Press and Free Speech Groups Question Raid on Reporter’s Records in Letter to Attorney General
“That there has been no clarity from the Justice Department on other avenues of investigation pursued before Watkins’ records were seized, a move their own guidelines describe as a… More
Discontinuation of Radio Free Asia Broadcasts in Myanmar Constitutes Further Shrinking of Space for Free Expression
“The authorities in Myanmar are resorting to a bizarre and heavy-handed approach to control the narrative of their crackdown on the Rohingya. Moreover, they are restricting media access to… More
Murder of Secular Publisher and Writer Shahzahan Bachchu an Attack on Free Expression in Bangladesh
“The shocking news today of Shahzahan Bachchu’s murder is a grim reminder that the severe threat to individuals who express dissident views in Bangladesh remains unacceptably high... Impunity in… More
FBI’s Seizure of Journalist’s Records a Troubling Step Requiring Government Explanation
“The fact that the FBI seized a journalists’ personal and professional phone and email records going back years, will cast an inevitable chill on newsgathering at a time when… More
Sentencing of Ukrainian Journalism Roman Sushchenko to 12 Years’ Imprisonment is Yet Another Brazen Violation of Free Expression in Russia
“We are deeply troubled by the deteriorating conditions for free expression in Russia, and a growing number of journalists and writers wrongfully prosecuted and repressed by the Russian government,… More
Supreme Court’s Ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop Case Does Not Give a License to Discriminate
"As a literary organization, we are acutely sensitive to infringements on artistic freedom. However, we also recognize that anti-discrimination laws are necessary and important to ensure that all people… More