Articles by PEN International
Proceedings against Orhan Pamuk dropped; PEN calls for end to all trials of writers
(WiPC/IFEX) – The news that the court presiding over the case of the world-famous Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk will not proceed with the case is greeted with relief by International PEN members world wide. The decision came after the Ministry of Justice refused to take responsibility for the case. Yet it does little to assuage […]
CAPSULE REPORT: International PEN calls for halt to all trials against writers, publishers and journalists accused of “insult”
(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a 16 December 2005 International PEN statement: INTERNATIONAL PEN STATEMENT ON THE TRIAL OF ORHAN PAMUK 16 December 2005 Turkey: Suspension of trial hearing against Orhan Pamuk Bodes Ill for Free Expression This morning the trial against Orhan Pamuk, one of Turkey’s most well-known authors, was postponed to 7 February […]
PEN observers describe “ugly and violent” scenes in Orhan Pamuk court appearance
(WiPC/IFEX) – On 16 December 2005, the Sisli No. 2 Court of First Instance in Istanbul announced that the hearing against Orhan Pamuk, one of Turkey’s most eminent writers, would be adjourned until 7 February 2006. His trial dossier is apparently still with the Ministry of Justice in Ankara for consideration that Pamuk be tried […]
Writer detained for articles critical of Kurdish authorities
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned about the detention and welfare of writer Kamal Sayid Qadir, an Iraqi Kurd with Austrian citizenship who has been detained incommunicado in Iraqi Kurdistan since 26 October 2005. He is believed to be held for articles critical of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) authorities, including […]
Jailed magazine editor may face death penalty under fatwa
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC has learned that the Dar-ul-lfta, the council of religious scholars within the Supreme Court, has issued a fatwa against Ali Mohaqiq Nasab, chief editor of the monthly magazine “Haqoq-e-Zan” (“Women’s Rights”), ruling that he had contradicted verses of the Koran in his articles. Under Islamic or Shariah law, the punishment for apostasy […]
Writer, literary editor imprisoned in the Uighur Autonomous Region for publishing allegorical story
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN protests the detention of Uighur writer Nurmuhemmet Yasin and editor Korash Huseyin for the publication of the former’s short story “Wild Pigeon” (“Yawa Kepter”). Nurmuhemmet Yasin is serving a ten-year prison sentence for “inciting separatism” in the story, while Korash Huseyin is serving a three-year […]
Writers from Tunisia, Swaziland, Sierra Leone and Vietnam receive Novib / PEN award
(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a 24 November 2005 WiPC press release: Novib / PEN award for writers working on forbidden website On Saturday 19 November, during the Crossing Border Festival in The Hague, The Netherlands, Wim de Bie, a famous Dutch TV personality and web “blogger”, presented this year’s Novib / PEN awards. The […]
Publisher Ragip Zarakolu faces 6-year prison sentence
(IPA/IFEX) – The following is a joint IPA/International PEN press release: Publisher Ragip Zarakolu faces a 6-year prison sentence International PEN, the International Publishers’ Association (IPA), and other international NGOs, including ARTICLE 19 and Human Rights Watch (HRW), were in Turkey to observe the trial of publisher Ragip Zarakolu on 22 November 2005. Ragip Zarakolu, […]