Articles by PEN America
Release Bahraini human rights activists now, say international groups
A group of 46 human rights organisations led by IFEX calls on member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council to urge Bahrain to release human rights defenders and peaceful opposition activists.
Demand release of Ethiopian journalist Eskinder Nega
Join the call for the release of Ethiopian journalist and blogger Eskinder Nega who was sentenced to 18 years in prison on 13 July 2012 on bogus terrorism charges. His case is still pending appeal, so please act now!
Eskinder Nega convicted of “terrorism”
Press freedom and human rights groups condemn politicised trial.
Call to release freedom of expression defenders held incommunicado
Over 80 groups around the world call on the authorities to free human rights defenders, journalists, bloggers and writers, some of whom have been detained incommunicado; and request help from UN Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.
Nobel laureates and PEN battle for free expression
We’re excited that the UK-based Guardian has reported on the important free expression battles unfolding in South Africa, summarizing international condemnation of the country’s so-called Secrecy Bill at the United Nations. The Protection of Information Bill is ostensibly designed to improve an apartheid-era law, but the text has been roundly criticized for containing provisions that […]
One hundred organisations call to end assault on freedom of speech, and to free all detained human rights defenders and netizens
UPDATE: The president of IFEX member Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Nabeel Rajab, was re-arrested and sentenced to three years in prison on 16 August. Many other human rights defenders remain in prison, including BCHR’s founder Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, and his daughter, Zainab Al-Khawaja.
Thirty-two IFEX members urge authorities to release journalist Eskinder Nega
On 1 May, jailed journalist Eskinder Nega, facing the death penalty, receives in absentia the 2012 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award. Thirty-two IFEX members are calling for his release, and an end to the use of national security legislation against all writers and journalists.
Fifty IFEX members and partners call for freedom for Bahraini human rights defenders, bloggers and activists
In advance of the Formula 1, 50 IFEX members and partners call for detained activists and human rights defenders to be freed, including blogger and activist Abduljalil Al-Singace and human rights activist Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, founder of IFEX member the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, who is ailing in prison since starting a hunger strike on 8 February.