Articles by PEN International
Release Alaa Abd El Fattah and all those unjustly detained in Egypt
Following the criminalisation of peaceful protest in Egypt in November 2013, 57 organisations and individuals release joint statement against arrests of Egyptian bloggers and political activists.
The ‘enemy within’: A gay Russian writer talks about homophobia and libel under Putin
PEN International’s Cathal Sheerin speaks to gay Russian journalist and writer Sergey Khazov. Khazov says that homophobic rhetoric has increased in Russia since the start of the recession, and notes that the LGBT community is being framed as the ‘enemy within.’
Out in the Cold: New campaign highlights free expression violations ahead of Sochi Olympics
As the world turns its attention to the southern city of Sochi in Russia, PEN International’s Out in the Cold campaign asks supporters from around the world to take action, calling for the repeal of anti-free expression laws and urging the authorities of the Russian Federation to fully respect the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
Poets and lyricists Fatemeh Ekhtesari and Mehdi Moosavi arrested in Iran
Fatemeh Ekhtesari and Mehdi Moosavi have been held in Tehran’s Evin prison since 7 December 2013 for their critical writings. They were on their way to Turkey for a literary workshop when they were nabbed at the airport.
PEN’s Sochi Olympics Campaign – Social Media Action – Thundeclap
Dear Colleagues, As part of the social media aspect of PEN’s Sochi Olympics campaign- Out in the Cold – we are planning an online Thunderclap action to highlight recently-passed draconian legislation that has the potential to strangle free expression in Russia. The Thunderclap message you will be signing up for is: Join PEN’s call: Russia, […]
Turkish human rights lawyer prepares for hearing after 4 years in jail
Muharrem Erbey was arrested in Diyarbakır, south-eastern Turkey, in December 2009. He is one of scores of lawyers, politicians, and writers to be detained as part of a wide-reaching anti-terror probe into pro-Kurdish intellectuals. The next hearing of his trial is scheduled to start on 13 January 2014.
Correction: PEN’s Sochi Olympics Campaign – Social Media Action
PLEASE NOTE AMENDMENTS TO MY PREVIOUS EMAIL SENT ON MONDAY 6 JANUARY Dear Colleagues, Following the Russia Out in the Cold Campaign emails that you have received explaining the campaign and how you can join it, we would like to invite you to participate in a social media action that will form part of our […]
PEN’s Sochi Olympics Campaign – Social Media Action
Dear Colleagues, Following the Russia Out in the Cold Campaign emails that you have received explaining the campaign and how you can join it, we would like to invite you to participate in a social media action that will form part of our protest. In the last 18 months, Russian lawmakers have passed a number […]