Articles by PEN International
Writer, journalist and researcher Yasser al-Habib sentenced to one year in prison; reports of ill-treatment in prison
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN protests the one-year prison sentence handed down to writer, journalist and researcher Yasser al-Habib. On 20 January 2004, he was reportedly convicted of “questioning the conduct and integrity of some of the ‘companions’ of the prophet Muhammad” in a lecture he had delivered. According to the WiPC’s information, […]
Final print journalist released after 10 years’ imprisonment
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC welcomes the 31 January 2004 release of journalist Juan de Mata Jara Berrospi. He is the last of the print journalists summarily sentenced in the 1990s for alleged terrorist offences to be released. Jara Berrospi was arrested on 10 July 1993, reportedly tortured, and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in September […]
Concern over excessive fines recommended in latest draft of press law
(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a 19 December 2003 joint WiPC and International Publishers’ Association (IPA) letter to Minister of Justice Cemil Çiçek: The Minister of Justice Mr. Cemil Çiçek Ministry of Justice Adalet Bakanligi 06659 Ankara Turkey 19 December 2003 Re: The excessive levels of fines in the latest draft under discussion of Press […]
PEN issues report on “Anti-terrorism, Writers and Freedom of Expression”
(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a 16 December 2003 WiPC press release: 16 December 2003 Anti-Terrorism, Writers and Freedom of Expression A PEN report In recent decades, International PEN’s Writers in Prison Committee has recognised a worrying pattern in how governments often use local anti-terrorism laws, and/or national security laws, as a mechanism for silencing […]
Concerns for health of detained writer, journalist and researcher Yasser al-Habib
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC is seriously concerned about the detention of writer, journalist and researcher Yasser al-Habib, who was arrested on 30 November 2003 and is believed to be detained in connection with a lecture he had given. Yasser al-Habib is said to have collapsed during one of his interrogation sessions, and there are serious […]
International PEN congress condemns attacks on writers worldwide
(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a 4 December 2003 WiPC press release: London 4 December 2003 International PEN’s Mexico City Congress condemns attacks on writers worldwide Attacks on writers and journalists around the world were central to the discussions at PEN’s 69th International Congress, held in Mexico City from 22-27 November. Commenting on the situation […]
Death threats continue against newspaper owner
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN is deeply concerned by the continued threats against Clara Britos, owner and editor of the monthly newspaper “La Tapa”. The threats appear to be linked to Britos’ reporting on alleged corruption in the Guernica local government. In the most recent incident, on 5 October 2003, Britos was forced […]
Serious concerns about continued detention of Internet writer Liu Di
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned about the continued detention of Internet writer and student Liu Di, who has been held incommunicado for almost a year without charge or trial. According to WiPC’s information, Liu, a psychology student at Beijing University, was arrested on 7 November 2002 for posting online essays […]