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
ReleasedArzhang Davoodi
Activist, Journalist, Poet, ScholarIranMiddle East and North AfricaDavoodi was arrested in 2003 for his involvement in the production of the documentary Forbidden Iran, which exposed the harsh realities of life under the Iranian regime. After enduring a series of sham trials and convictions, he was sentenced to death. During his imprisonment, he was tortured, leading to serious…
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Displaced/In ExileArzu Demir
Journalist, Literary writerTürkiyeEurope and Central AsiaIn 2016, literary writer and journalist Arzu Demir was accused of glorifying terrorism and sentenced to 6 years in prison for writing two books, Dağın Kadın Hali (Womanly State of the Mountain) and Devrimin Rojava Hali (Revolution’s State of Rojava), based on interviews with female guerrillas. She appealed the verdict…
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DetainedAsad Ali Toor
Journalist, Online CommentatorPakistanAsia-PacificOpinion journalist and vlogger Toor has a large following on social media, where he has critically spoken of Pakistan’s chief justice and military. In 2021, he was attacked and beaten by three unknown assailants in a home invasion. In February 2024, Toor was arrested for attempting to “incite violence” through…
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Displaced/In ExileAsal Abasian
Journalist, Literary writer, TranslatorIranMiddle East and North AfricaAsal Abasian is a queer journalist and writer who was forced to flee Iran in 2021 for Türkiye. They were interrogated and threatened with imprisonment on two separate occasions in 2020 and 2021 due to their writing, journalistic work, and activism. Currently exiled in Paris, Abasian continues to write and…
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Recorded HarassmentAseem Trivedi
Activist, Creative artist, Literary writerIndiaAsia-PacificAseem Trivedi launched the campaign Cartoons Against Corruption in 2011. In January 2012, he was charged with sedition and defamation over his cartoons, leading to a prolonged legal battle that lasted for most of the next three years. Despite facing charges related to national symbols, he continued his activism. As…
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ImprisonedAshkan Fahim
Activist, Literary writerIranMiddle East and North AfricaAshkan Fahim is a Kurdish poet, author, and cultural activist. He was arrested on September 15, 2023 on unknown charges. As of October 18, 2023, when Fahim was transferred to Urmia prison, he was denied legal representation. Three months later, on December 23, 2023, he was sentenced to three years…
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ReleasedAshraf Fayadh
Creative artist, Literary writer, PoetSaudi ArabiaMiddle East and North AfricaFayadh, a poet and artist, was jailed on various charges of blasphemy for writing about humanistic themes in his poetry collection Instructions Within. The collection explores Fayadh’s experience as a Palestinian refugee in Saudi Arabia. After great public outcry, his initial death sentence in 2015 was reduced to eight years…
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ReleasedAshraf Hamdi
Creative artist, Online CommentatorEgyptMiddle East and North AfricaA political commentator and cartoonist, Ashraf Hamdi was arrested on January 25, 2021 after reposting a cartoon for the 10-year anniversary of the 2011 uprising which led to the overthrew of Hosni Mubarak. He was charged with “misusing social networking sites” and “spreading false news,” according to family and legal…
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DetainedAshraf Omar
Creative artist, TranslatorEgyptMiddle East and North AfricaAshraf Omar, a cartoonist and translator for independent outlets like Al-Manassa and Mada Masr, was arrested on July 22, 2024 for satirical drawings criticizing Egypt’s economic policies. Held without trial, his detention has been repeatedly extended. His wife, Nada Mougheeth, was also arrested on January 13, 2025 after speaking about…
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.