PEN International

PEN International is extremely concerned about the well-being of Uzbek journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev, who was detained by the National Security Services in Tashkent on 27 September 2017. Abdullaev is detained at the notorious pre-trial detention centre of the National Security Services, which has a long, harrowing track record of torture.

Our monthly roundup spotllghts Egypt’s latest efforts to control the media (and rainbow flags), the Kurdish referendum (and aftershocks), a campaign to tackle self-censorship in Palestine and much more.

A joint statement by the Association of Progressive Communications, IFEX and 64 co-signatories at the UN-HRC 36 warns of the threat to human rights posed by recent attacks on the right to use encryption technology, in Turkey and across the globe.

Journalists Reda Amrani and Rachid At Ali Uqasi were attacked as they were preparing to give a conference in northern Algeria to launch a TV channel promoting Kabyle language and culture.

Gauri Lankesh, a senior journalist and editor of the weekly Kannada-language tabloid Gauri Lankesh Patrike, was shot dead at her home in Bengaluru, Karnataka state.

Whether authoritarian regimes, so-called democracies or warring armed groups, those who wield power in the Middle East and North Africa have taken internet censorship to new levels and stepped up their individual campaigns against critics, journalists, and opponents this month.

The writers and editors included in the literary collection Sun on Closed Windows have received death threats, insults and have been the target of hate speech. Fearing for their lives, some are currently in hiding with their families.

PEN International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Zehra Doğan. Pending her release, the Turkish authorities should allow her access to painting materials, in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.