Writers at Risk Database
PEN America champions the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. The bedrock work of the global PEN network is advocacy and assistance on behalf of individuals persecuted for their use of the written word or other forms of expression. PEN America’s Writers at Risk Database is a searchable catalog of the writers, journalists, academics, public intellectuals and others under threat around the world. The database includes historical cases PEN America has worked on from 1987 onwards; non-active cases are color-coded black. PEN America is grateful to the John Templeton Foundation for support that enabled the establishment of the Writers at Risk Database and to PEN International for their collaboration in assembling this database.
Filters
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Status
ReleasedDong Rubin
Online CommentatorChinaAsia-PacificAfter posting critical comments against Chinese authorities about alleged corruption, Dong was sentenced to six and a half years in prison in July 2014. Dong had predicted his arrest, noting that strangers raided his office in August 2013. According to ICPC, Dong is reportedly released from prison after his six…
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Displaced/In ExileErk Acarer
Journalist, Literary writer, Online CommentatorTürkiyeEurope and Central AsiaAcarer is a Turkish columnist and author who has been living in exile in Berlin since 2017. On July 7, 2021, he was attacked outside of his home by assailants he suspected were associated with the ruling AKP-MHP government. A few days later, Acarer appeared on a hit list of…
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Custodial/Wrongful DeathFessehaye Yohannes
Dramatist, Journalist, Literary writerEritreaSub-Saharan AfricaCo-founder of the newspaper Setit, prominent Eritrean journalist, poet, and playwright, Yohannes was arrested in a sweeping crackdown on print media following the September 11 attacks. He has been detained incommunicado since, drawing grave concern over his health. While some reports suggest he died in detention in 2002, others indicate…
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Recorded ThreatGuillermo Sheridan
Journalist, Literary writer, ScholarMexicoAmericasIn July 2019, Sheridan, a scholar, columnist for El Universal, public commentator, and literary critic, received a death threat in a letter delivered to his home. In January 2023, Sheridan was granted federal protection due to repeated violent threats due to an article he wrote accusing Mexican Supreme Court Justice…
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ConvictedHossein Ronaghi Maleki
Journalist, Online CommentatorIranMiddle East and North AfricaRonaghi, a blogger, was disappeared in February 2022 and charged with national security and propaganda offenses. He was released from Evin prison in March but rearrested after a TV interview in September. Subjected to severe abuse in detention, he was released on bail in November and hospitalized. Since then, he…
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Deceasedİbrahim Gökçek
Creative artist, Singer/SongwriterTürkiyeEurope and Central AsiaGökçek was a member of activist folk band Grup Yorum. From the band’s inception, its critical songs have angered the Turkish state, and members have faced severe threats. Released from prison in early 2020, Gökçek died on May 7, 2 days after ending his 323-day hunger strike. His funeral in…
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Continued HarassmentJoão Paulo Cuenca
Creative artist, Dramatist, Journalist, Literary writer, Online CommentatorBrazilAmericasIn response to a satirical tweet involving then-president Jair Bolsonaro, writer and filmmaker Cuenca has been subjected to over 140 targeted lawsuits from state officials and religious leaders since 2020, primarily from the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. These lawsuits demand damages totaling more than one million Brazilian…
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MurderedKamol Duangphasuk
PoetThailandAsia-PacificIn April 2014, the poet “Kunthee” was shot by assailants who approached his car in Northern Bangkok, then escaped by motorcycle. He died in the hospital as a result of his injuries. The motive for his murder is unknown, but may be linked to his activism about increased violence in…
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Conditional ReleaseKunchok Tsephel Gopey Tsang
Editor, Literary writer, Poet, ScholarChina/Tibet Autonomous RegionAsia-PacificKunchok Tsephel, founder of the Tibetan literary website Chomei, was arrested in 2009 and sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of disclosing state secrets, though the specific reasons for the charge remain unclear. He was released in March 2022 under restrictive conditions that limit his movement and activities.…
Writers at Risk Database Key:
STATUS box that is red: Active case
STATUS box that is black: Inactive case
Funder
PEN America is deeply grateful to the John Templeton Foundation for its generous support of the Freedom to Write Index and Writers at Risk Database.
Partner
PEN America thanks the PEN International Secretariat and the Writers in Prison Committee for their extensive contributions to and collaboration on compiling the cases included in this database.