PEN International

(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is seriously concerned about the arrest of publisher Shahla Lahiji, and fears that she may be at risk of ill-treatment whilst in detention. International PEN considers her to be detained in violation of her right to freedom of expression, and is calling for her immediate and unconditional release. According to our information, […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – The trial against Nadire Mater, a writer accused of “insulting the military” for a book of interviews with Turkish soldiers who had served in the south-east of the country, has been prolonged still further. On 6 May 2000, the court opened briefly to hear that a specialist who is to provide evidence for […]

**Correction to IFEX alert of 28 April 2000** (WiPC/IFEX) – On 28 April 2000, PEN issued an alert indicating that the appeal trial hearing of Flora Brovina, a Kosovo Albanian poet, paediatrician and women’s rights activist, had been set. PEN has since learned from sources in Serbia that a date for the hearing before the […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – On 9 December 1999, Flora Brovina, a Kosovo Albanian poet, paediatrician and women’s rights activist, was sentenced to twelve years in prison. International PEN continues to call for Brovina’s release. An appeal hearing is due to take place on 16 May 2000. Background Information Brovina has been held since April 1999 on conviction […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC has received the following information in an Amnesty International Urgent Action dated 25 April 2000 and feels that IFEX subscribers may wish to consider taking similar action. Journalist Akbar Ganji was interrogated and arrested on 22 April. Amnesty International fears he may be ill-treated and possibly tortured, and considers him a […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – On 8 March 2000, poet Yilmaz Odabasi entered Saray Prison to serve a seven-month sentence for “insulting the court”. International PEN considers him to be detained in direct denial of his right to freedom of expression and is calling for his release. Background Information On 8 March 1997, Odabasi, age 39, was sentenced […]

The WiPC is seriously concerned about the deteriorating health of Chinese writer, editor and human rights activist Xu Wenli. International PEN asks that he receive adequate medical care immediately, and calls for his unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant of Human Rights. Xu Wenli is a writer, editor […]

**Updates IFEX alerts of 30, 28, 24, 21, 20 and 10 September 1999** (WiPC/IFEX) – The trial of Nadire Mater, which was scheduled to continue on 8 March 2000, has been postponed. In a hearing that lasted only a few minutes, Mater was told that because an expert witness who was supposed to report to […]