PEN America

Articles by PEN America

Link to: Top PEN prize to honor Nasrin Sotoudeh, jailed Iranian lawyer, writer, and women’s rights advocate

Top PEN prize to honor Nasrin Sotoudeh, jailed Iranian lawyer, writer, and women’s rights advocate

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi will represent her imprisoned colleague at the award ceremony.

Link to: Writers hail UN accord ending push to ban blasphemy

Writers hail UN accord ending push to ban blasphemy

“We couldn’t be more pleased and relieved that the nations of the world have agreed on a framework that keeps intact the full range of free expression protections,” said PEN American Center.

Link to: International organisations condemn abduction and beating of journalist Seymur Khaziyev

International organisations condemn abduction and beating of journalist Seymur Khaziyev

The “Azadliq” newspaper correspondent was abducted by six masked assailants who warned him to “be clever” and not mention President Ilham Aliyev in his articles.

Link to: Court rules NSA surveillance suit brought by PEN, partners can proceed

Court rules NSA surveillance suit brought by PEN, partners can proceed

An appeals court ruled that PEN and its co-plaintiffs can challenge the constitutionality of the FISA Amendments Act, legislation that granted the executive branch the power to carry out illegal eavesdropping activities.

Link to: PEN American Center and CPJ statement on China’s domestic and international free expression obligations

PEN American Center and CPJ statement on China’s domestic and international free expression obligations

As attention is riveted on North Africa and the Middle East, the Chinese government has moved aggressively to restrict the ability of its citizens to communicate.

Link to: Authorities crack down on dissidents

Authorities crack down on dissidents

The wave of arrests, which includes lawyer Teng Biao and Ran Yunfei, is believed to be related to the “Jasmine Revolution”.

Link to: PEN American Center decries thuggery in attacks on foreign press

PEN American Center decries thuggery in attacks on foreign press

Foreign journalists seeking to visit dissident Chen Guangcheng, who is living under house arrest, were confronted by groups of men who harassed and threatened them.

Link to: Reader privacy fight resumes in Congress

Reader privacy fight resumes in Congress

Just weeks before controversial portions of the USA Patriot Act are set to expire, a senator has reintroduced a reauthorisation bill that would restore protections for reader privacy that were eliminated by the Patriot Act in 2001.