Articles by PEN International
Writer and poet Balaram Sharma detained; serious concerns for safety of journalists and writers
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned for the safety of writers and journalists in Nepal since the breakdown in the latest round of talks between the government and the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) on 27 August 2003. Among those who have been reportedly arrested by security forces since the end […]
WiPC concerned about writer and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s well-being
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is seriously concerned about the well-being of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and writer, who is held incommunicado at an unknown location and is reported to have started a hunger strike to protest her detention. Aung San Suu Kyi was taken into “protective custody” […]
Three Basque newspaper journalists still detained under anti-terrorism legislation
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned about the continued detention of three Basque journalists under anti-terrorism legislation. PEN also protests the recent six-month extension to the “preventive measures” that have kept the Basque-language newspaper “Euskaldunon Egunkaria” closed. The extension was handed down on 21 July 2003 by Judge Juan del Olmo […]
CERIGUA journalist receives death threats; WiPC condemns attack on “ElPeriódico” publisher
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN has added its voice to the condemnation of the attack on “ElPeriódico” newspaper publisher José Rubén Zamora Marroquín, his family and employees, on 24 June 2003. According to Zamora, eleven men and one woman gained entry to his home in Guatemala City by posing as investigators from the […]
Journalist and filmmaker Hishamuddin Rais released
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN welcomes the release of journalist and filmmaker Hishamuddin Rais, who was freed on 4 June 2003 after the expiry of his two-year detention order. Rais was among six “Reformasi” (“Reform”) activists to be sentenced under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in June 2001. He was released from Kamunting […]
Editor Viktar Ivashkevich’s sentence halved
(WiPC/IFEX) – It was reported on 4 June 2003 that a partial amnesty sanctioned by the Belarusian authorities has halved editor Viktar Ivashkevich’s two-year sentence. He is now due for release from a detention camp in Baranovichy on 16 December.
WiPC concerned about writer and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s health
(WiPC/IFEX) ? WiPC is seriously concerned about the well-being of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and writer, who was taken into “protective custody” on 1 June 2003 following clashes between NLD and pro-government supporters. Aung San Suu Kyi is reported to have been injured during the clashes, […]
Report on freedom of expression in Turkey
(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a WiPC background document issued in the context of the organisation’s June 2003 special campaign on Turkey: Writers in Prison Committee, International PEN Special Campaign on Turkey, June 2003 Background document If not now, when? TURKEY: A Nation at the Crossroads Summary: Turkey underwent profound political changes in 2002 and […]