PEN International

PEN International highlights several cases of Uyghur writers and scholars who received long prison terms, which reflect the worsening censorship and repression targeting Uyghurs and other minorities in China’s Xinjiang region.

Poet Ahnaf Jazeem was arrested on 16 May 2020 under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act for publishing a Tamil-language poetry anthology which authorities said promote extremism.

Hasél was convicted of “glorifying terrorism” in his lyrics and tweets; he now begins a nine-month prison sentence.

As democracy and the rule of law come increasingly under pressure in a number of EU countries, the undersigned organisations call on EU policymakers to urgently put forward an EU anti-SLAPP Directive to protect public watchdogs that help hold the powerful to account and keep democratic debate alive.

PEN International said the prioritization in the teaching of Mandarin Chinese in Inner Mongolia could undermine the cultural identity of ethnic Mongolians. Protests against the new education policy were met with police crackdowns.

Thai poet and human rights lawyer Arnon Nampha was arrested and charged with sedition for his participation in pro-democracy protests in Bangkok.

The repression of dissenting voices is not limited to direct political opponents and journalists. Museum guides, musicians, teachers, TV presenters and many other professionals have lost their jobs after criticising the authorities.

PEN International expressed concern over reports that the Singapore government has been using the law aimed at combatting disinformation to remove critical views about the country’s COVID-19 response.