Articles by PEN International
PEN International joins over 60 organisations condemning the charges brought against Cuban musicians Maykel “El Osorbo” Castillo Pérez and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara
“A review of the charges against both artists makes it clear that they are being targeted for their peaceful exercise of their right to free expression.”
Malaysia: Arrest of writer highlights limited protections for free expression on matters of religion
Malaysian writer Uthaya Sankar SB was held overnight and is now being investigated for a remark he posted on social media regarding the Prophet Mohammad.
Cuba: PEN condemns six-year prison sentence for musician Abel Lescay for his participation in peaceful mass protests last July
“Abel Lescay is a brave and talented musician who should never have been in jail in the first place (…) His sentencing is a very worrisome development in the Cuban government’s relentless crackdown on artistic expression…”
India: Open letter against National Overseas Scholarship restrictions
PEN International joins more than 20 institutions and 350 scholars in expressing concern over the changes in India’s National Overseas Scholarship guidelines, which now excludes students from marginalised communities intending to pursue further education and research abroad on topics concerning the country’s history and cultural heritage.
China: PEN Centres world-wide call for the release of Australian writer Yang Hengjun
Writer and Australian citizen Yang Hengjun (杨恒均) has been detained in China since January 2019.
Iran: PEN International calls for investigation over Baktash Abtin’s tragic death and warns Reza Khandan is at risk
“Abtin’s death stands a clear reminder of the colossal risks faced by independent writers in Iran and the paramount need to free all writers unjustly imprisoned because of their writings.”
Ugandan writer arrested for the 3rd time in 2 years
Award winning novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija detained without being formally charged.
Belarus should immediately release philosopher Uladzimir Mackievič
Uladzimir Mackievič was arrested in August 2021 and charged with organising and preparing actions that grossly violate public order. He has been in pre-trial detention ever since; no date has been set for his trial.