![Focus Region_Eurasia_Hero_Nov 2023](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Focus-Region_Eurasia_Hero_Nov-2023.png)
Free Expression in Eurasia
The Issue
While Eurasia has seen democratic progress in countries including Ukraine, Armenia, and Georgia, in others like Russia and Belarus, authoritarian regimes continue to crack down on independent cultural expression. In this political context, writers, musicians, and artists across the region play vital roles in their societies as champions of free expression.
PEN America is a steadfast supporter of, and partner to, free speech champions in Eurasia, actively opposing the persecution of journalists and cultural workers, writers, and artists through large-scale international campaigns, targeted engagement with policy makers, and intercultural exchange.
In recent years, PEN America’s Eurasia advocacy has centered on Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Georgia.
Latest News
Growing Repression and Persecution of Writers and Artists in Belarus, Ahead of Third Anniversary of Illegitimate Presidential Election
August 7, 2023New Report: 16 Writers and Public Intellectuals Jailed in Belarus in 2022, with 33 Writers at Risk for Persecution
April 27, 2023PEN America, in Partnership with Bard College, Establishes Digital Archive to Preserve Independent Reporting by Russian Journalists During Vladimir Putin’s Rule
April 11, 2023Individual Cases
![Vladyslav Yesypenko](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Vladyslav-Yesypenko-300x200.png)
Vladyslav Yesypenko
![Yuri Dmitriev](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/fep-writers-database-yury-dmitreiv-Mediafond-300x200.png)
Yuri Dmitriev
![Stanislav Aseyev](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Copy-of-pen.org-Featured-Image-Template-2-300x200.png)
Stanislav Aseyev
![Oleg Sentsov](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Copy-of-pen.org-Featured-Image-Template-1-1-300x200.png)
Oleg Sentsov
Commentary
![Russian Social Media Platform Threatens Free Expression](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/russia-vkontakte-300x200.jpg)
Russian Social Media Platform Threatens Free Expression
![The PEN Pod: On Reporting on Russia and the Climate for Foreign Journalists with Sarah Rainsford](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/sarah-rainsford-featured-image-300x200.png)
The PEN Pod: On Reporting on Russia and the Climate for Foreign Journalists with Sarah Rainsford
![Nobel Prize to Dmitry Muratov is a Sign that the World Should Unite to Confront Kremlin’s Foreign Agent Law](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/dmitry-muratov-op-ed-featured-image-300x200.png)
Nobel Prize to Dmitry Muratov is a Sign that the World Should Unite to Confront Kremlin’s Foreign Agent Law
![The PEN Pod: Resilience, Struggle, and the Fight for Freedom in Belarus with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/sviatlana-tsikhanouskaya-featured-image-300x200.png)
The PEN Pod: Resilience, Struggle, and the Fight for Freedom in Belarus with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Advocacy
![An Open Letter in Solidarity with Ukraine One Year Since Russia’s Invasion](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Open-Letter-Fearured-Image-final-300x200.png)
An Open Letter in Solidarity with Ukraine One Year Since Russia’s Invasion
![2022 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award Honoree: Vladyslav Yesypenko](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PEN-Ten-Featured-Image-10-300x200.png)
2022 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award Honoree: Vladyslav Yesypenko
![Letter: President Biden Must Sanction Individuals Responsible for Human Rights Violations in Eastern Ukraine](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/flag-of-russia-and-ukraine-1546962732mDc-e1688061972833-300x200.jpg)
Letter: President Biden Must Sanction Individuals Responsible for Human Rights Violations in Eastern Ukraine
![[VIRTUAL] Media Under Attack in Belarus: International Action Needed as Human Rights Crisis Intensifies](https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/belarus-protest-300x200.jpg)