Articles by PEN International
U.S.-based Chinese scholar Gao Zhan charged with espionage
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned about the charges lodged against scholar Gao Zhan, who has been held in detention since 11 February 2001. 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 […]
WiPC honours three journalists on World Press Freedom Day
(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a WiPC press release: WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY – 3 MAY 2001 INTERNATIONAL PEN HONOURS THREE JOURNALISTS On 3 May 2001, writers and journalists world wide join forces in support of their colleagues who have stood up against oppression and reported on corruption and other sensitive issues only to find […]
Journalist believed to have been transferred to another detention facility, serious concerns for his health and well-being
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned for the well-being of journalist and researcher Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari following reports that he has been transferred from Evin Prison and is apparently now being held incommunicado. Eshkevari, director of the Ali Shariati Research Centre and contributing editor of the now-banned […]
Series of death threats issued against the president and journalists from “elPeriódico”
(WiPC/IFEX) – In a 12 April 2001 letter to President Alfonso Portillo, WiPC expressed concern over the series of death threats issued against the president and journalists from daily newspaper “elPeriodico”. According to WiPC sources, on 27 March, journalist Silvia Gereda was attacked and threatened by an unknown assailant. The attacker warned that Gereda and […]
Iranian publisher and Uzbek novelist to receive 2001 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Awards
(PEN/IFEX) – The following is a 5 April 2001 PEN American Center press release: Iranian Publisher and Uzbek Novelist to Receive 2001 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Awards New York, New York, April 5, 2001 – PEN American Center today named Shahla Lahiji, a publisher who is one of 19 Iranian writers and intellectuals prosecuted […]
Three journalists remain imprisoned; poet describes prison conditions and torture
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC is currently staging a campaign on behalf of Nizar Nayouf, detained in Syria. The following is a description of the situation in Syria, and an excerpt of an extremely moving interview with Faraj Bayraqdar, the Syrian poet who was freed last year following many years in prison: Syria under human rights […]
Prominent writer dies in suspicious circumstances
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is seriously concerned about the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Emin Usman on 28 February 2001 and is calling on the authorities to launch a full investigation. Usman was arrested on 11 February, while driving near his home outside Tashkent, and held in the basement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs […]
Writer and publisher face charges for literary works
(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is WiPC’s appeal in support of Turkish writer Mehmed Uzun: In February 2001, the Istanbul State Security Court brought charges against two of Mr. Uzun’s literary works, the collection of essays “Nar Cicekleri” (Pomegranate Flowers), and his latest novel, “Ask Gibi Aydinlik, Ölüm Gibi Karanlik” (Light as Love, Dark as Dearth). […]