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.
PEN International Day of the Imprisoned Writer This is a free event. Bookings are essential and can be booked at the link below. Thursday 14 November 2019, 6.15pm-7.15pmat The Wheeler Centre Writers and journalists are often among the first citizens targeted and punished by autocratic leaders. With creeping authoritarianism and instability in many regions around the world, it’s an increasingly dangerous time for writers of all kinds. On the eve of PEN International’s Day of the Imprisoned Writer, we’ll hold a special …
Tues Nov 19 at 6.30pm to 8.00pm Venue: La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond Street, Carlton VIC Bookings: https://lamama.com.au/whats-on/winter-spring-2019/day-of-the-imprisoned-writer-lecture/ Produced by PEN Melbourne Challenge What You Know: What’s really happening to Julian Assange What’s really happening to Julian Assange? What has Australia done to protect his welfare? And why aren’t we hearing more about the most intriguing and complex threats to liberal democracy of our time? Jennifer Robinson, counsel to Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, will present a talk that considers the …
As the trial of writers and Catalan civil society leaders Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart comes to an end, PEN International once again calls on the Spanish authorities to release them immediately and to drop the charges of rebellion and sedition against them. ‘Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart face the possibility of 17 years behind bars for their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. PEN reiterates our demand that charges of charges of rebellion and sedition be dropped …
PEN International strongly condemns attacks against journalists and the ongoing media crackdown following Turkey’s offensive in Northern Syria, and calls on all parties to protect journalists from harm and to uphold the rights to freedom of expression and opinion. On 9 October 2019, the Turkish armed forces started bombing parts of Northern Syria, controlled by Kurdish-led forces previously allied with the US. The Turkish authorities said they aimed at establishing a 32-kilometre deep ‘safe zone’ and transferring millions of Syrian …
15/11/2019 6:00pm – 8:30pm University of Technology Sydney, 1 Quay St, Haymarket NSW 2007 Quentin Dempster interviews Jennifer Robinson, counsel to Julian Assange and WikiLeaks. About this Event What’s really happening to Julian Assange? What has Australia done to protect his welfare? And why aren’t we hearing more about the most intriguing and complex threats to liberal democracy of our time? Walkley Award-winning journalist, author and broadcaster Quentin Dempster will interview Jennifer Robinson, counsel to Julian Assange and WikiLeaks. …
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.
