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
ImprisonedSeynam
Activist, Online Commentator, ScholarChina/Tibet Autonomous RegionAsia-PacificSeynam, a teacher, used his knowledge and writings to educate and advocate for Tibetans and environmental issues on social media. Following prior detention in 2020 for attending a conference on Tibetan parents’ and elderly well-being, Seynam was arrested again in Kardze Serthar County in April 2021 on unknown charges. In…
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On TrialShafik Rehman
Activist, Journalist, Literary writerBangladeshAsia-PacificRehman, a journalist and writer, has faced legal proceedings in Bangladesh related to allegations of plotting to abduct and murder Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In August 2023, he was sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment in absentia. However, upon his return to Bangladesh…
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On TrialShafiqul Islam Kajol
Journalist, Online CommentatorBangladeshAsia-PacificJournalist Kajol was forcibly disappeared for 53 days in March 2020. Found early in May 2020, he was then detained for over 230 days by authorities on charges including defamation and disinformation for his online news articles, before being released in December. In 2021, he was charged under the Digital…
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Displaced/In ExileShafiur Rahman
Journalist, Online CommentatorBangladeshAsia-PacificDespite living in England, British-Bangladeshi journalist Shafiur Rahman has faced increasing threats from Bangladesh due to his reporting on the country’s policies towards the Rohingya. In May 2024, authorities detained 32 Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar, interrogating them about their links to Rahman in what he called “harassment by proxy.” Additionally,…
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ConvictedShahabuddin Shirazi
Literary writer, Online CommentatorIranMiddle East and North AfricaShirazi is a dissident cleric who is active on Telegram. In March 2023, he was reportedly taken to court for his writings on Ayatollah Khomeini. In November 2023, he was sentenced to 3 years in prison for “publishing falsehoods” and “propaganda.” The charges stemmed from his critical religious commentary and…
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Continued HarassmentShahd Abusalama
Activist, Creative artist, Journalist, Online Commentator, ScholarUnited KingdomEurope and Central AsiaA long time Palestinian activist and columnist and blogger, Abusalama is well-known for her anti-Zionist stance and her criticism of Israel. She has faced multiple instances of harassment since 2018, including cyberbullying by Zionist groups. In 2022, she received a letter from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK where she…
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Conditional ReleaseShahidul Alam
Activist, Creative artist, Journalist, Literary writerBangladeshAsia-PacificAn internationally-renowned photojournalist, Alam was arrested on August 5, 2018 following his critical comments about the government’s handling of student protests. He was charged under Section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology Act for allegedly spreading false information and defamatory content online. After 108 days in detention, he was…
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DeceasedShahla Lahiji
Literary writer, Publisher, TranslatorIranMiddle East and North AfricaA pioneering publisher, Lahiji was arrested in 2000 upon her return from a conference. She was charged with spreading anti-state propaganda for criticizing Iran’s policies toward women. She was released on bail after two months in prison and completed her six-month sentence. She passed away in January 2024.
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MurderedShahzahan Bachchu
Online Commentator, Poet, PublisherBangladeshAsia-PacificBachchu, a writer and an owner of the publishing house Bishaka Prokashoni, specialized in publishing poetry. On June 11, 2018, he was shot dead by assailants in Munshiganj district. Bachchu was known for his secular views and his work in publishing literature that promoted free thought. His death was attributed…
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.