PEN America

Articles by PEN America

Link to: PEN awards top prize to jailed journalist Eskinder Nega

PEN awards top prize to jailed journalist Eskinder Nega

Nega, who was arrested in September 2011, is being tried under the country’s sweeping anti-terror legislation and faces the death penalty if convicted.

Link to: Publisher Ragip Zarakolu released pending trial

Publisher Ragip Zarakolu released pending trial

Zarakolu still faces trial on charges that carry a heavy prison sentence, along with scores of other writers and intellectuals who remain imprisoned.

Link to: PEN American Center concerned over “virtual lockdown” on freedom of expression

PEN American Center concerned over “virtual lockdown” on freedom of expression

Foreign journalists have been prevented from covering police clashes with citizens in Sichuan Province and Tibetan-language print shops, blogs and websites have been shut down.

Link to: Salman Rushdie receives death threats, withdraws from literature festival

Salman Rushdie receives death threats, withdraws from literature festival

Rushdie reportedly was forced to cancel his trip after he was informed by Indian intelligence sources that “paid assassins” were on their way to Mumbai to “eliminate” the author.

Link to: PEN protests charges against Zhu Yufu, insisting “poetry is not a crime”

PEN protests charges against Zhu Yufu, insisting “poetry is not a crime”

The long-time democracy activist was charged with “inciting subversion” nearly three months after the prosecution withdrew his case from the courts for lack of evidence.

Link to: PEN American Center calls for press freedom at Occupy Wall Street sites

PEN American Center calls for press freedom at Occupy Wall Street sites

Police barred reporters from several news outlets from covering the clearing of Zuccotti Park in New York City, which has been occupied by protesters for over two months.

Link to: Five years on, writers continue to call for justice for Anna Politkovskaya

Five years on, writers continue to call for justice for Anna Politkovskaya

PEN American Center expresses concern that some of the people behind Politkovskaya’s murder may still be at large, furthering a climate of impunity for crimes against journalists and writers.

Link to: PEN American Center welcomes Deji Olukotun as first Freedom to Write Fellow

PEN American Center welcomes Deji Olukotun as first Freedom to Write Fellow

“I have always believed that creative artists can effect change, and PEN proves that they can,” Olukotun said. “It is truly an honor to have the chance to help advance the freedom to write around the globe through this fellowship.”