PEN International

(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a 4 March 2006 WiPC press release: International PEN Writers in Prison Committee Meets in Istanbul, Challenges Insult Laws Over 50 writers, editors and publishers from 23 countries gathered in Istanbul this week for the 6th Writers in Prison Committee conference of International PEN, the worldwide association of writers. At […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN has been informed that the trial of journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Chaudhury is to start in early March 2006. Chaudhury was arrested on 29 November 2003 and charged with sedition for his critical writings. He was released on bail on 2 May 2005. The […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is seriously concerned that detained writer Kamal Sayid Qadir has been transferred to a prison hospital. Dr. Qadir, an Iraqi Kurd with Austrian citizenship, was arrested in Iraqi Kurdistan on 26 October 2005 and sentenced on 19 December to thirty years in prison for articles critical of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) is gravely concerned about the health of internet publisher and dissident Pham Hong Son, who is said to be seriously ill in prison and in urgent need of medical attention. WiPC urges that he receive a medical examination by an independent doctor and all […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – Two trial hearings held 15 February 2006 at a court in Istanbul against publisher Ragip Zarakolu were adjourned once again, this time to 19 April. Zarakolu is being tried for publishing two books, both by Armenian authors, deemed to be insulting to the Turkish state under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code. […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN’s Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) is deeply concerned about the arrest of woman journalist and writer Elham Afroutan, who is among seven journalists from the provincial weekly newspaper “Tammadon-e Hormozgan” (“Hormozgan’s Civilisation”) detained since 29 January 2006 following the publication of a satirical article. The journalists are believed to be held […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – Eight writers, journalists and publishers accused of “insult” and “interference in the judiciary” have been brought before the courts since 6 February 2006, in four separate trials. One – Hrant Dink, editor of the Armenian language magazine “Agos” – was acquitted. The other cases were all postponed and the defendants are destined for […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a WiPC press release: Victory for free expression in British parliament The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN, the world association of writers representing member Centres in 99 countries, congratulates the English PEN Centre on its successful campaign that played a central role in the 31 January acceptance of […]