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.
Iran: authorities must end the persecution of Mahvash Sabet and ensure access to adequate medical care pending her release PEN International and the undersigned PEN Centres are outraged to learn that writer and poet Mahvash Sabet was brutally tortured during her interrogation in August 2022 at Evin prison, resulting in both her kneecaps being broken. PEN International and the undersigned PEN Centres are gravely concerned about Mahvash Sabet’s health and well-being and strongly condemn the persistent and deliberate medical …
Home PEN America’s Literary Gala May 18 to Honor Iranian Writer and Human Rights Defender Narges Mohammadi with PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award PEN America’s Literary Gala May 18 to Honor Iranian Writer and Human Rights Defender Narges Mohammadi with PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award The NYC Gala will Honor Saturday Night Live Creator and Executive Producer Lorne Michaels and will be Hosted by SNL Star Colin Jost FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 15, 2023 (NEW YORK)— PEN America announced today …
The 3rd edition of the Video Poem Marathon 2023 in Indigenous and Minoritized Languages has been a huge success. We have published 70 videos between February 21 and March 21, 2023. These are just some of the figures of this 3rd edition: – 70 languages, 2/3 of them participating for the first time at the Video Poem Marathon. – 38 female poets, 32 male poets – 22 poems from Africa, 14 from Asia, 14 from Europe, 2 from …
Dear Friends, Thank you for your support of the World Press Freedom Day Campaign in support of Hong Kong journalist, media publisher, activist and writer, Jimmy Lai. While WPFD is over, the campaign will continue to run over the coming days, and we continue to encourage PEN members across the globe to write messages of support on the campaign page. I would like to share my special thanks to ICPC for their translation of the campaign and for sharing his …
World Press Freedom Day, May 3, 2023 Journalism is not a crime Journalists are the eyes and ears of society. With their work, they meet the need for democratic liberties, a need that can never be erased. They must be able to speak and write about matters of public interest without fear of interference, arrest or other forms of reprisal or persecution. Ma Thida, Chair of PEN International Writers in Prison Committee https://www.pen-international.org/our-campaigns/world-press-freedom-day-2023 Julian Assange The case of Australian publisher …
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.
