Articles by PEN America
PEN America launches its Freedom to Write Index 2020
During 2020, according to data collected for PEN America’s Freedom to Write Index, at least 273 writers, academics, and public intellectuals in 35 countries – in all geographic regions around the world – were in prison or unjustly held in detention in connection with their writing, their work, or related activism.
Writer and Belarusian PEN member Aliaksandr Fiaduta must be released
Fiaduta was detained in Russia, reportedly by the Belarusian KGB. Fiaduta is being detained without access to legal counsel or medical care and no charge against him is listed.
Online abuse and the threat it poses to free speech
Viktorya Vilk, PEN America’s program director of Digital Safety and Free Expression, discusses how online abuse directly affects freedom of speech as well as the different ways social media companies can stem online abuse and support their abused users.
Belarus: Well known literary translator Volha Kalackaja sentenced to two years’ house arrest
After spending two months in pre-trial detention, Kalackaja was convicted of “hooliganism”. She had allegedly slapped a state journalist who was harassing passersby and questioning civilians’ ability to grieve for artist Raman Bandarenka, who was beaten to death by security forces in November.
US must hold Mohammed bin Salman accountable for Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, rights groups say
In response to the release of a U.S. congressional report identifying Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as having ordered the operation against journalist Jamal Khashoggi, rights groups call on the Biden administration to impose sanctions on the prince, and suspend arms sales.
PEN America settles landmark First Amendment lawsuit with U.S. government, shielding reporters from retaliation
The settlement agreement affirms the basis of PEN America’s challenge on behalf of its journalist Members who were threatened and retaliated against by President Trump.
Members of US Congress speak out in support of the Belarusian people
In recognition of the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus, PEN America is sharing statements from members of the US Congress reminding the world that the struggle for free expression and democracy in Belarus has not been forgotten.
PEN America condemns arrest of Cuban artists, mass detention of protesters
Mass arrests come as Cuba has heightened its crackdown on dissident artists.