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.
Home PEN Network Welcomes Release of Iranian Writers Arash Ganji and Reza Khandan Mahabadi, Calls for Release of Other Members of the Iranian Writers’ Association PEN Network Welcomes Release of Iranian Writers Arash Ganji and Reza Khandan Mahabadi, Calls for Release of Other Members of the Iranian Writers’ Association More than 35 PEN Centers Worldwide Call On Iranian Authorities to End Campaign Against the IWA FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2023 (NEW YORK) — PEN International, PEN America, and 35 …
We say ‘Yes’ to the Voice! In 2017 the National Constitution Convention of the first sovereign nations of the Australian continent offered the Australian People the Uluru Statement from the Heart. It calls ‘for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.’ The Voice will pave the way for reforms that will address the impact of colonisation on the lives of the First Nations Peoples of Australia and restore their ‘rightful place in [their] own country.’ The …
16 February: In a new repressive action, the Nicaraguan authorities led by Daniel Ortega announced the stripping of the citizenship of 94 Nicaraguans this week, including writers Sergio Ramírez and Gioconda Belli, and journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro, according to a public statement released on Wednesday 15 February 2022. ‘We are horrified by the authoritarian actions undertaken by the Nicaraguan government as part of its efforts to maintain a society devoid of any dissenting voices. No authority can silence society. PEN …
About For over six years, Kurdish-Iranian journalist and writer Behrouz Boochani bore personal witness to the treatment of refugees in Australia’s offshore immigration detention centre on Manus Island. Painstakingly typed out in text messages while he was incarcerated, Boochani’s experiences were recorded in his acclaimed book, No Friend but the Mountains (translated by Omid Tofighian), for which he was awarded the 2019 Victorian Prize for Literature, and many other awards. Now, Boochani arrives in Australia for the first time, appearing …
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.
