Advocacy
Egypt: Like a Facebook Post, Go to Jail
As the world marks a year since the arrest of three Al Jazeera journalists, an unprecedented wave of persecution is sharply delimiting the bounds of free speech in Egypt.… More
January Hearing May End James Risen’s Ordeal—or Not
On January 5, New York Times reporter James Risen and his attorney may reach an agreement with the Justice Department that would see him testify in the case without… More
India: BJP Party and RSS Harass Tamil Novelist Perumal Murugan
Earlier this month, Hindu organizations in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu launched a campaign against writer and professor Perumal Murugan, culminating in the burning of copies of his… More
PEN Cheers Release of The Interview
We commend Sony and independent theater owners for standing up to thuggery in defense of free expression. Their actions send a strong message that threats of violence will not… More
Myanmar: Press Corps Move Insufficient
This week’s announcement that independent media will be invited to participate in a “press corps” that would be allowed access to the presidency and the right to cover public… More
Turkey: Sociologist Pınar Selek Acquitted For Fourth Time
Turkish sociologist, feminist, and writer Pınar Selek has been acquitted of all criminal charges for the fourth time in a series of trials lasting 16 years. More
End Efforts to Compel Risen to Identify Source(s)
Dear Attorney General Holder, As members and supporters of PEN American Center, an organization representing over 3,500 writers, we write to you today to ask that the Justice Department… More
PEN Honduras Welcomes IACHR With Hope
The visit comes at a crucial juncture for human rights, of which the right to freedom of expression is particularly vulnerable. More
Iranian Writers Speak Out on Censorship
This is the seventh year that freedom of expression defenders are marking December 4 as the Day to Fight Censorship, as initiated by the Association of Iranian Writers. It… More
Free Expression in China Drowning Under Waves of Writer Arrests
PEN American Center is alarmed by a spike in arrests of writers, journalists, and intellectuals in China in recent weeks. According to reports, four prominent intellectuals were arrested on… More