PEN America

In December, Hindu organisations in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu launched a campaign against writer and professor Perumal Murugan, culminating in the burning of copies of his novel in protest of the book’s portrayal of a Hindu shrine and its female devotees.

PEN American Center expresses its profound regret at Sony Pictures’ statement that “The Interview” will not be released on any platform as a result of threats made by unidentified sources. It urges Sony Pictures to release the film through every channel that does not pose a safety risk, to combat this chilling effect and stand up for creative freedom.

There is a real danger that eliminating the open net could lead to content discrimination by Internet providers that don’t like what they see.

Civil society groups call for an end to repression of IFEX member the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, and urge UNESCO to take action to ensure free expression in Azerbaijan.

More than 100 civil society organisations ask the UN Secretary General to recognise the importance of free expression rights in the sustainable development goals.

Ilham Tohti, a scholar and writer who should have been a welcome ally in China’s efforts to build a harmonious society, instead faces more than a decade in prison as China continues its crackdown on dissent.

Independent organizations in Egypt face a looming crackdown. The government has threatened to enforce a draconian associations law that became law 12 years ago, but has seldom been enforced.

“Beijing is refusing to distinguish between peaceful advocacy and violent unrest”, said PEN American Center in reaction to China’s indictment of Uyghur scholar Ilham Tohti.