PEN International

After his death, not only was Liu’s name censored on social media platforms, even phrases containing the word “thunder” – a homophone for “tears” in Chinese – and the candle emoji were removed by censors.

On the one-year anniversary of the death of popular Cambodian activist Kem Ley, civil society organisations from around the world reiterated their call for an independent inquiry.

ARTICLE 19 and 82 other organisations urge “Five Eyes” to support the development and use of secure communications tools and technologies and reject policies that would prevent or undermine the use of strong encryption.

Natalia Sharina has appealed her conviction and her next trial hearing is expected to take place in the autumn. PEN International believes that the case against her is politically motivated and calls for her sentence and conviction to be quashed.

China releases Liu Xiaobo on medical parole; #FreeThe5KH out on bail; journalists escape jail term in Timor Leste; “Mother Mushroom” sentenced to 10 years

Given Liu Xiaobo’s diagnosis of late-stage liver cancer, PEN urges the Chinese authorities to allow the Nobel Peace Laureate to seek medical attention wherever he chooses.

PEN International calls on the Vietnamese authorities to drop all charges against blogger and government critic Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, also known by her pen name Me Nam (‘Mother Mushroom’), ahead of her trial, which is expected to take place on 29 June 2017.

The Huthi and allied forces should immediately and unconditionally release ten Yemeni journalists detained arbitrarily without charge or trial, said nine NGOs, on the second anniversary of their detention.