Latest News from PEN Melbourne
The Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International was set up in 1960 as a result of mounting concern about attempts to silence critical voices around the world. An office was set up at the PEN head office in London to gather information and to alert the PEN membership to take action. The WiPC is now staffed by a team of experts who monitor around 1,000 attacks on writers, journalists, editors, poets, publishers and others in any given year. These include long prison terms, harassment, threats, and murder.
/http://• https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/in-edicola/articoli/2023/06/01/judge-orders-the-crown-prosecution-service-to-come-clean-about-the-destruction-of-key-documents-on-julian-assange/7179642/ WikiLeaks – After years of running up against a brick wall, the first crack has appeared with the latest ruling on our FOIA case issued by Judge O’Connor. In addition to the ruling, British Labour MP John McDonnell has just obtained new information from the Crown Prosecution Service. McDonnell is calling for an independent inquiry into the CPS’s role in the Assange case. Di Stefania Maurizi 31 Maggio 2023 For the last six years, they have rejected all …
https://www.pen-international.org/news/galal-el-behairy-is-at-risk-after-80-days-on-hunger-strike Galal El-Behairy’s message to PEN International Against the life of coercion and the prison’s grave Against the colours of the cell’s walls Against the iron’s logic Against the sensation of the sun behind bars and the wires Against the prison’s uniform and food Against the shining lights in my cell 24/7 Against the 20 minutes of the allowed time for the prison visit Against the ban on pens and papers Against the ban on lighters Against the ban on …
PEN member now serving 54-year prison sentence. 24 May 2023: PEN International is dismayed at the decision of Myanmar’s military junta to sentence writer, activist, and PEN Myanmar member, Wai Moe Naing to 20 years’ imprisonment for committing high treason. Already serving a 34-year prison sentence following several convictions in retaliation for his peaceful advocacy against the military coup of 1 February 2021, this latest unjust conviction follows rushed legal proceedings that violated fair trial norms. PEN International continues to …
We, the undersigned PEN Centres, are deeply concerned with the detention of Chinese writer and journalist Dong Yuyu on charges of “espionage”. We call for the charges against him to be dropped and for Dong to be released. Police initially detained Dong Yuyu on 21 February 2022 at a hotel in Beijing while he was having lunch with a Japanese diplomat, who was also briefly detained. On 23 March 2023, authorities informed Dong’s family that his case had been sent …
Stella’s Speech at the National Press Club, Canberra on 22 May, 2023 at Press Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrsQxRtSBU0 Stella’s speech at the Free Assange Mr Biden Rally at Sydney’s Hyde Park on 24 May, 2023: https://www.greenleft.org.au/video/stella-assange-speaks-sydney-free-julian-assange Stella interview on ABC 7.30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpEE9TBlKI4 On Monday 22 May, Stella Assange will be in Canberra, Australia to address The National Press Club with Jenifer Robinson, Australian Human Rights Lawyer and Barrister. Follow this link for tickets: https://www.npc.org.au/speaker/2023/1180-stella-assange Saffrine Duggan, wife of jailed Australian pilot …
As a member of PEN Melbourne, you will receive a monthly Update with news about our activities and campaigns, and invitations to a program of events with renowned Australian and international writers and activists. The PEN Melbourne Journal is also produced twice a year and distributed free to members.
