Articles by PEN International
Internet writer released, but allegedly forced into exile
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC welcomes the release on 11 July 2008 of Bui Kim Thành, internet writer, dissident and lawyer, after five months in psychiatric detention, apparently without any medical basis. However, the WiPC is deeply concerned that Bui Kim Thành’s release was apparently conditional on her going into exile, and continues to call for her […]
Songwriter remains in detention; WiPC concerned for his failing health
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC protests the four-month detention of the well known singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga (real name Pierre Roger Lambo Sandjo), reportedly for a song he wrote criticising controversial constitutional amendments in Cameroon. The WiPC fears that Mbanga’s detention stems from his critical lyrics, and is therefore in violation of his right to freedom of […]
Dissident writer Chen Daojun charged for “inciting splittism”, not for “subversion”
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is seriously concerned about the charges of “inciting splittism” brought against dissident writer and journalist Chen Daojun, who was detained on 9 May 2008 near the city of Chengdu, Sichuan province. International PEN calls for his immediate and unconditional release if he continues to be held in violation of Article 19 of […]
IPA and WiPC condemn conviction of publisher over book on Armenian question
(IPA/WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a 19 June 2008 joint IPA and WiPC press release: Article 301 TPC: International writers and publishers strongly condemn the sentencing of Publisher Ragip Zarakolu for “insulting the State” Geneva, London 19 June 2008 – The International Publishers Association (IPA) and the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN strongly […]
Satirical plays banned; police torture production manager, assault actor
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) strongly protests attacks against the cast and crew of the satirical play “The Crocodile of Zambezi” and its banning by police in Bulawayo in May 2008. According to the WiPC’s sources, production manager Lionel Nkosi was tortured and threatened with death, and actor Aleck […]
Police raid literary event, injure poet following protest petition
(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN’s Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) is concerned by reports of an assault on the poet Juan Cristóbal during a police raid on a literary event at El Averno cultural centre in Lima on 23 May 2008. As a result of a beating by police and a subsequent tear gas attack, Cristóbal […]
Imprisoned journalist suffers stroke, denied adequate medical care as trial begins
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is seriously concerned for the health of Iranian Kurdish journalist Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, who reportedly suffered a stroke in Evin prison on 19 May 2008 and has been denied access to adequate medical care. He has been held since 1 July 2007 on charges of “acting against national security”. His trial reportedly […]
Journalist still detained in unknown location, at risk of torture
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) protests the two-week detention of Al-Ghali Yahya Shegifat, journalist and president of the Association of Darfur Journalists. Initially briefly detained and reportedly ill treated on 12 May 2008, Shegifat was re-arrested on 14 May, held incommunicado until 30 May and remains imprisoned. It is […]