Articles by PEN International
Editor, writers appear in court, trials continue
(WiPC/IFEX) – As International PEN’s Turkey Campaign continues, the organisation has reported on new developments in the cases of Melih Pekdemir, Asiye Güzel Zeybek and “FoX 2000”. Pekdemir, a writer and publisher, appeared before the Supreme Court in Istanbul on 27 March 2002 to appeal against a three year and nine month sentence for his […]
Writer to be brought to court for writings on Kurdish issues
(WiPC/IFEX) – Writer and publisher Melih Pekdemir is to appear before the Supreme Court in Istanbul to appeal a three year and nine-month sentence for his book on Kurdish issues. International PEN considers the sentence to be a violation of Pekdemir’s right to freedom of expression and is calling for the charges to be dropped. […]
Another hearing scheduled for detained journalist
(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN has been following the trial of Asiye Güzel Zeybek, former editor of a radical newspaper, which is yet to conclude over five years after her arrest. Zeybek’s claims to have been raped in custody and her alleged attackers have not been prosecuted. International PEN is deeply concerned by the extreme length […]
Six writers to appear in court during hearing of “FoX 2000” case
(WiPC/IFEX) – On 25 March 2002, WiPC reported that the hearing of the “FoX 2000” case was scheduled for 26 March. Six writers are among the fifteen individuals expected to appear in court to hear the continuing trial against them for their collective publication of a book entitled “FoX 2000” (“Freedom of Expression 2000”). International […]
WiPC calls for review of imprisoned journalist’s case
(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a 22 March 2002 letter to President Paul Biya by Eugene Schoulgin, the International Chair of the WiPC of International PEN: S.E. Paul Biya Président de la République Palais de l’Unité 1000 Yaoundé Cameroon Fax: +237 233 022 E-mail: celcom@camnet.cm 22 March 2002 Re: Georges Baongla Dear President Biya, I […]
International PEN celebrates the achievements of women writers working under threat
(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a WiPC press release on its activities marking Women’s Day: International PEN Celebrates the Achievements of Women Writers Working Under Threat Women’s Day 8 March 2002 On 28 January 2002, Ayse Nur Zarakolu, one of Turkey’s most well-known fighters for free expression, died. For twenty-five years, she and her husband, […]
Sentences of writer Mehrangiz Kar and publisher Shahla Lahiji reduced on appeal
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC of International PEN has been informed that final verdicts have been reached in the trials of writer, editor and lawyer Mehrangiz Kar and publisher Shahla Lahiji. Both their sentences have been reduced to six months’ imprisonment, calculated as time served (two months’ imprisonment) plus a 500,000 rial (approx. US$285) fine. A human […]
Lengthy prison sentence handed down to historian Xu Zerong
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned about the lengthy prison sentence handed down to historian Xu Zerong, apparently solely for his legitimate academic research. According to the WiPC’s information, Xu, research associate professor at the South East Asia Institute, Zhongshan University, Guangzhou, was arrested in Guangzhou, south China, on 24 June […]