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.
21 June – We – PEN International and the undersigned PEN Centres – express our deepest concerns over the decision by the UK High Court to reject the appeal of Wikileaks founder and publisher Julian Assange against his extradition order to the United States, where he faces up to 175 years in prison for his role in obtaining and publishing classified military and diplomatic documents. We once again call on the US authorities to drop all charges against him and …
Nuremberg Trials. Defendants in their dock, circa 1945-1946. (front, from l to r): Hermann Göring, Rudolf Heß, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Wilhelm Keitel second row, from l to r): Karl Dönitz, Erich Raeder, Baldur von Schirach, Fritz Sauckel. ( Office of the U.S. Chief of Counsel for the Prosecution of Axis Criminality/Still Picture Records LICON, Special Media Archives Services Division (NWCS-S) By Craig Murray CraigMurray.org.uk There has never existed any government so evil and repugnant that it has been unable to find …
From 2 to 7 November, to mark PEN International’s PEN Protest/Day of the Dead Campaign and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, more than 11 countries and PEN Centres in Latin America will remember journalists killed in the exercise of their profession and take action to end the impunity for crimes committed against journalists. In a special video by PEN International, acclaimed writers and artists Elena Poniatowska, Carmen Aristegui, Nicolás Celis, Angélica Aragón, Camila Selser and …
PEN International is alarmed to learn that Afghan poet and artist, Haseeb Ahrari, has been arrested and detained by the Taliban. Ahrari’s detention is the latest example of the Taliban’s ongoing crackdown on civil society and freedom of expression, which has led to the arbitrary detention of women’s rights activists, journalists, academics and cultural figures. We for call for Haseeb Ahrari’s immediate and unconditional release, along with all those detained for their peaceful expression. On 1 June 2023, the Taliban …
Home PEN America Condemns Transnational Repression of Chinese Political Cartoonist Badiucao in Poland PEN America Condemns Transnational Repression of Chinese Political Cartoonist Badiucao in Poland Cartoonist Has been Censored and Harassed Throughout His Career FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 9, 2023 (NEW YORK) – Ahead of a planned exhibition by Chinese political cartoonist Badiucao in Warsaw, Chinese embassy officials visited the host institution to demand the cancellation of the exhibition. PEN America released a statement condemning the Chinese authorities for …
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.
