Articles by PEN International
Songwriter sentenced to three years in prison
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC protests the three-year prison sentence and exorbitant fine imposed on the well known singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga (real name Pierre Roger Lambo Sandjo) on 24 September 2008 for allegedly taking part in anti-government riots. Mbanga is known as an outspoken critic of the government, both as a songwriter and an opposition […]
WiPC protests detention of website editor
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee (WIPC) of International PEN protests the detention of Raja Petra Kamaruddin, founder and editor of the website Malaysia Today ( http://mt.m2day.org/2008 ), who was sentenced without trial to two years in prison on 22 September 2008 under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for his critical writings published online. […]
Several dissidents arrested as part of crackdown by authorities
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN is alarmed about an apparent crackdown on dissidents in Vietnam, in which a number of writers have been arrested in recent weeks. This brings the total number of writers detained in Vietnam to sixteen. International PEN calls for the immediate and unconditional release of […]
Imprisoned journalists reportedly subjected to torture and ill treatment
(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN’s Writers in Committee protests the detention of Tamil journalists V. Jasikaran and J. S. Tissainayagam, who have been held for six months under terrorist legislation, apparently for their critical writings. PEN is also seriously concerned about allegations that both men have been subjected to torture and ill treatment by the Sri […]
Newspaper editor released on bail
(WiPC/IFEX) – Nikolai Andrushchenko, co-founder and editor of the newspaper “Novy Peterburg”, was freed on bail according to a decision taken by the Dzerzhinski District Court of St Petersburg, on 20 May 2008.
Dissident writer released after 16 years in prison
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN welcomes the release of University lecturer, political activist and dissident writer Hu Shigen on 26 of August 2008, after spending sixteen years and three months in prison. International PEN remains concerned that he remains under restrictions, and reminds the Chinese authorities of their obligations to […]
Writer detained at airport, prevented from traveling to Norway to meet with human rights groups
(Norwegian PEN/IFEX) – The following is a joint Norwegian PEN, International PEN and International Publishers Association letter to Minister of Justice Ha Hung Cuong: Oslo, 4 September 2008 Mr. Ha Hung Cuong Minister of Justice Ministry of Justice 24 A Cat Linh Street Hanoi Vietnam Fax: 0084 843 1431 Your Excellency Norwegian PEN, International PEN […]
Activist filmmaker murdered while investigating attacks on indigenous community radio station
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is shocked by the murder of the anthropologist, author and indigenous rights activist Miguel Ángel Gutiérrez Ávila, who was apparently beaten to death in Guerrero, Southern Mexico, on 26 July 2008. It is thought that the killing may be related to Gutiérrez’ documentation of attacks against an indigenous community radio station. The […]