Articles by PEN International
Controversial journalist attacked in office raid
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN is seriously concerned for the safety of journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Chaudhury, who was reportedly attacked by a group of about 30 men at the offices of his newspaper, “Blitz”, on 5 October 2006. His attackers are thought to have included leading members of […]
Writer and journalist Anna Politkovskaya, long threatened over critical reporting on Chechnya conflict, shot to death
(WiPC/IFEX) -The following is a 7 October 2006 WiPC statement: INTERNATIONAL PEN STATEMENT ON THE MURDER OF RUSSIAN WRITER AND JOURNALIST, ANNA POLITKOVSKAYA International PEN is appalled by the news of the murder today, 7 October 2006, of the renowned Russian journalist and author, Anna Politkovskaya, who was found shot dead in an elevator in […]
Writer and leading opposition politician Mohamed Nasheed freed from house arrest
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN welcomes the release of opposition politician and writer Mohamed Nasheed, who was freed from house arrest on 21 September 2006. It is expected that the charges against him of terrorism and sedition will be dropped soon. Nasheed was among several members of the newly established […]
Journalist faces possible imprisonment for biography on Atatürk’s first wife, another acquitted of “insult to Turkishness” charges
(WiPC/IFEX) – Author Elif Shafak was acquitted of charges of “insult” at a 21 September 2006 hearing held before Beyoglu Court of First Instance in Istanbul. International PEN is delighted by this outcome, considering the trial against Elif Shafak to have been in direct violation of her right to freedom of expression. She was charged […]
Journalist Zhao Yan acquitted of revealing state secrets, but convicted of fraud and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC welcomes the 25 August 2006 announcement that the charge against journalist Zhao Yan of revealing state secrets has been dropped, but is seriously concerned at his sentencing to three years in jail for fraud. WiPC demands his immediate and unconditional release pending his likely appeal. Zhao Yan, news assistant at the Beijing […]
Health concerns mount for teacher and writer Dolma Kyab, serving a ten-year sentence
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN protests the detention of teacher and writer Dolma Kyab (pen-name Lobsang Kelsang Gyatso), who has been detained since 9 March 2005 and is serving a ten-year prison sentence for his critical writings. International PEN calls for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article […]
Writer Perihan Magden acquitted
(WiPC/IFEX) – Writer Perihan Magden was acquitted by a court in Istanbul on 27 July 2006. She had been charged under Article 218 of the Turkish Penal Code for having “turned people against military service”. The charges relate to an article entitled “Conscientious Objection is a Human Right”, published in December 2005. International PEN welcomes […]
President approves problematic amendments to Anti-Terror Law
(WiPC/IFEX) – On 17 July 2006, President Necdet Sezer approved amendments to the Turkish Anti Terror Law despite widespread concern that their implementation would lead to a steep downturn in the state of freedom of expression in Turkey. In a statement dated 14 July, International PEN wrote that the passing of these amendments threatens to […]