PEN International

Articles by PEN International

Link to: PEN protests harassment of writers and journalists in Kosovo

PEN protests harassment of writers and journalists in Kosovo

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN wrote to President Milosevic of Serbia on 19 June 1995 expressing concern at the continued pattern of harassment and arrest of writers and journalists in Kosovo. Indicative of this pattern of abuse of the rights to freedom of expression are the reports of the arrest and in […]

Link to: Religious scholar and poet under arrest

Religious scholar and poet under arrest

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN on 19 June 1995 requested PEN members to write to the Bahraini authorities about the welfare of detained religious scholar, Shaikh ‘Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri. It is feared that continued imprisonment will worsen his already poor health. Amnesty International reports that on 1 April 1995, security forces […]

Link to: Two writers detained; fears for their health

Two writers detained; fears for their health

Amnesty International reports on the arrests of Ahamed Shafeeq, a civil servant and writer, and Ali Moosa Didi, a writer and politician in the Maldives. There are serious concerns about their health. On 21 April 1995, about a dozen police officers raided Ahamad Shafeeq’s home and arrested both him and Ali Moosa Didi. Also seized […]

Link to: Serious fears for health of detained writer Ken Saro-Wiwa

Serious fears for health of detained writer Ken Saro-Wiwa

**Updates IFEX CH alerts dated 22 March, 24, 17, 8, 6 February 1995 and others** There are deep concerns for the health of Nigerian writer Ken Saro-Wiwa after recent reports that he has not been able to attend his tribunal on at least two occasions in the last month due to ill-health and that the […]

Link to: Jailed Mexican army officer suffers campaign of harassment due to criticism of human rights abuses

Jailed Mexican army officer suffers campaign of harassment due to criticism of human rights abuses

Sources: Press, Comision Mexicana de Defensa y Promocion de Derechos Humanos Brigadier General Jose Gallardo Rodriguez, whose imprisonment in Mexico in November 1993 is widely thought to be connected to his criticism of the military, was denied visits by a leading Mexican human right group — the Comision Mexicana de Defensa y Promocion de los […]

Link to: Concerns for missing poet Amir Talic

Concerns for missing poet Amir Talic

Amir Talic, a Bosnian poet, was arrested on 22 February 1995 by Bosnian Serb forces. He is now said to be held in an unknown place of detention and there are fears for his well-being. He is among eight people still thought to be detained following a wave of arrests of members of a Muslim […]

Link to: Journalist Chan Rotana sentenced to one year in prison

Journalist Chan Rotana sentenced to one year in prison

Source: Amnesty International On 27 February 1995, Chan Rotana, editor of “Voice of Khmer Youth”, was sentenced to one year in prison at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. He was also fined five million Cambodian riels (approx US$ 2,000). He remains free pending an appeal hearing of his case. Chan Rotana was convicted under Article […]

Link to: Ken Saro-Wiwa hearing; further details

Ken Saro-Wiwa hearing; further details

**Updates IFEX CH alerts dated 17, 8 and 6 February 1995** Ken Saro-Wiwa’s lawyers report that they were attacked in court after the case against him resumed on 21 February 1995. They say the court was surrounded by military personnel who were screening people who entered the court. They reportedly refused to permit journalists from […]