PEN International

Aslı Erdoğan is charged with “terrorist propaganda” because of articles she wrote for ‘Özgür Gündem’ in 2016; prosecutors have asked for a lengthy prison sentence of nine years and four months. A verdict is expected on 14 February.

Svetlana Prokopyeva is facing a lengthy prison sentence for “justifying terrorism” after she suggested that growing up in a repressive state could be a factor in radicalising young people.

The summons issued by religious authorities could be linked to a book by Maryam Lee which argues for the right of Malay Muslim women to decide if they wish to wear a traditional headscarf.

Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart were sentenced to nine years in prison on 14 October, having been found guilty of sedition by Spain’s Supreme Court for their participation in Catalonia’s October 2017 independence referendum.

An art exhibition about taboo topics in Japan was canceled raising questions about freedom of expression in the country.

16 civil society figures and arts practitioners are charged with planning to “attempt to overthrow the government” and of having financed the peaceful Gezi Park protests. If found guilty, they face a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.

PEN Uganda and PEN International are demanding charges against writer, academic and feminist activist, Dr. Stella Nyanzi be dropped as they are a violation of her right to freedom of expression. Dr Nyanzi was arrested and charged with “cyber harassment” and “offensive communication” following messages she posted on Facebook.

The most reported type of attack in the PEN Case List is lengthy prison terms. A total of 68 writers were imprisoned specifically for the practice of their profession or their peaceful activism, representing a third of the total. 2018 also saw the doubling of journalists murdered in retaliation for their reporting.