Articles by PEN International
US-based Chinese scholar Gao Zhan released
(WiPC/IFEX) – Gao Zhan, a research fellow at the American University in Washington, D.C., has been released on medical parole. She was freed on 26 July 2001, and returned immediately to join her family in the U.S. Gao had been convicted in a closed trial at the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court on 24 […]
US-based Chinese scholar sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment for espionage
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned about the prison sentence handed down to scholar Gao Zhan on charges of espionage. International PEN fears that Gao may be detained solely for her legitimate research activities, and therefore in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. According to […]
WiPC welcomes release of eleven NLD members
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN welcomed the recent releases of over eleven members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), amongst them journalist Daw San San Nwe, comedians U Pa Pa Lay and U Lu Zaw, and writer Aung Khin Sint. International PEN encouraged the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to release […]
Writer Mamadali Makhmudov reportedly returned to prison camp
(WiPC/IFEX) – Writer Mamadali Makhmudov, who is serving a fourteen year prison term, is said to have been returned from Tashkent prison medical centre back to a strict regime prison camp in Chirchik, despite his poor health. According to WiPC’s information, on 16 June 2001, Makhmudov was transferred from the Tashkent Prison medical centre, where […]
Editor Solomon Nemera released and all charges dropped
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN welcomes the release of Solomon Nemera. The editor-in-chief of the now defunct magazine “Urji” had spent three years and eight months in detention. According to information received by PEN, Nemera was released on 1 June 2001. In February 2000, he had been handed a one-year sentence for “inventing […]
Two academics detained, one begins hunger strike
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is deeply concerned for the welfare of two prominent academics detained for incitement to riot. Mesfin Wolde Mariam (71) and Berhanu Nega were arrested on 8 May 2001, three weeks after taking part in a forum on academic freedom held at Addis Ababa University. Mesfin […]
Journalist Akbar Ganji’s sentence reduced on appeal
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC welcomes the decision by the court of appeal to reduce the sentence against journalist Akbar Ganji to six months’ imprisonment. However, WiPC considers Ganji to be detained in violation of his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which […]
Uighur historian and writer sentenced to fourteen years’ imprisonment
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned about the sentencing of Uighur historian and writer Tohti Muzart to fourteen years’ imprisonment. International PEN fears that Muzart may be detained solely for his peaceful and legitimate activities as a researcher and writer, and if this is the case urges his immediate and unconditional release […]