@penbelarus.bsky.social
On September 26 the Ministry of Information updated the list of “extremist materials” and added three new books.
Among these books is a finalist of the largest Belarusian literary award, the Jerzy Giedroyc Prize, for 2023: Valer Hapiejeŭ with his book "Volniery. The Harbinger".
#BannedBooksBelarus
On September 26 the Ministry of Information updated the list of “extremist materials” and added three new books.
Among these books is the winner of the largest Belarusian literary award, the Jerzy Giedroyc Prize, for 2023: One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy, Valancin Akudovič.
#BannedBooksBelarus
On September 30, 2025, 32 new books were added to the list of printed publications that, according to the authorities, “may harm the national interests of the Republic of Belarus,” including two books by PEN Belarus member Sasha Filipenko.
#BannedBooksBelarus
It destroys part of Belarusian culture. We are losing books, ideas, words that remain in prisons and may never make it out to their readers. It violates the right to freedom of speech and expression for those behind bars. Both people and books must be freed.
18.09.2025 07:50 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
More and more often we learn that manuscripts are being confiscated from imprisoned writers in Belarusian prisons. Among those who has told us about this are former political prisoners Uładzimir Mackievič, Hienadź Fiadynič, Ihar Karniej, and others.
18.09.2025 07:49 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The philosopher and essayist Uładzimir Mackievič, released on September 11th together with other political prisoners, gave his first interview, in which he raised an important issue:
18.09.2025 07:48 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Manuscripts are being confiscated from imprisoned writers...
Both people and books must be freed!
👉 You can learn more about the current state of Belarusian books here: bannedbooks.penbelarus.org/en
While we welcome the release of writers after immense suffering, we utterly condemn their forced exile and call for their rights to be upheld.
Read our joint statement with @peninternational.bsky.social
During our 91st Congress Opening Ceremony in Kraków we brought together Burhan Sönmez, Olga Tokarczuk & Margaret Atwood.
They each spoke out against repression in literature & the growing tide of censorship.
@penbelarus.bsky.social honoured Andrzej Poczobut as the Empty Chair.
Today it became known that three more books have been banned in Belarus.
The banning of books is not only an act of censorship, but also a violation of the right to freedom of expression and access to information, as enshrined in international treaties.
Des del PEN Català celebrem l’alliberament de 52 presos polítics a Bielorússia. Però més de 1.000 persones continuen empresonades, entre elles 33 escriptors, i 222 llibres estan prohibits.
@peninternational.bsky.social @penbelarus.bsky.social
Six Imprisoned Writers Have Been Released!
On 11 September, 52 political prisoners were freed and forcibly taken out of Belarus. Among those freed are some of our imprisoned writers: Uładzimir Mackievič, Mikoła Dziadok, Zmicier Daškievič, Łarysa Ščyrakova, Pavieł Mažejka, Pavieł Vinahradaŭ.
Thank you so much for your support!
05.09.2025 13:41 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Drawing of Maksim Znak
Freedom of expression.
#HappyBirthday
#FreeMaksimZnak
@penbelarus.bsky.social
@peninternational.bsky.social
www.suomenpen.fi/en/valkovena...
Thank you so much!
05.09.2025 13:40 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Tercer dia del #congresspen
Comencem amb una nova cadira buida. Advocat de molts represaliats pel govern Bielorússia, porta dos anys incomunicat, fa dos anys que ningú l'ha vist.
@penbelarus.bsky.social
@peninternational.bsky.social
penbelarus.org/en/2024/03/1...
PEN Belarus has launched the website: bannedbooks.penbelarus.org/en/
There you can find all the information about books banned in Belarus.
Join us in spreading the word about banned books in Belarus and standing up for the right to read.
#bannedbooksbelarus
Torture and discrimination against women in Belarus — “Legal Initiative” and other human rights organizations have appealed to CEDAW, demanding the initiation of an international investigation.
Sign our open appeal: forms.gle/ACmPQ8Rsoun3...
#JusticeForBelarusWomen
Belarusian lawyer & writer Maksim Znak, jailed since 2020 on spurious charges, has been awarded the 2025 Disturbing the Peace Award.
We call for his immediate release & stand with all writers risking their freedom for truth.
havelcenter.org/2025/08/08/v...
☄️ New report out! ☄️
Read our latest monitoring report to see the full picture. Help us spread the word! Share this report to keep the voices of Belarusian culture alive.
Support the work of PEN Belarus experts on Patreon: www.patreon.com/penbelarus
#penbelarus #culturalrights #imprisonedwriters
#Belarus: We warmly welcome PEN Català’s decision to elect Kaciaryna Andrejeva (Bachvałava) as an Honorary PEN member, and we reiterate our call for her immediate and unconditional release.
17.07.2025 09:35 — 👍 12 🔁 5 💬 0 📌 1Today marks four years since PEN member and Nobel Laureate Ales Bialiatski was arrested on spurious grounds.
14.07.2025 10:26 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The 113th Session of the @ilo.org International Labour Conference is currently taking place in @ungeneva.bsky.social
We call on the participants of the Conference to show solidarity with the illegally dismissed and imprisoned workers of Belarus!
Our warmest congratulations to Nadia Kandrusevich and Dmitri Strotsev, who were awarded the 2025 IPA Prix Voltaire for their commitment to publishing despite threats and harassment.
#StandWithBelarus
internationalpublishers.org/2025-ipa-pri...
“mama, all my friends are criminals…
smugglers of liberty
traitors to the dictatorship
agents of dignity”
We share this powerful poem on political prisoners in #Belarus by Taciana Niadbaj, poet, writer and #humanrights defender. #PrisonersDayBelarus
youtu.be/8_Zn5uspE68 @penbelarus.bsky.social
PEN Sweden (@pensweden.bsky.social) member Joakim Medin stands trial in Ankara tomorrow on spurious ‘insult to the president’ grounds.
We urge #Türkiye to drop all charges and to release him immediately.
Read more ➡️ www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...
@etc.se
PEN Belarus took part in the preparation of a report to the United Nations on Belarus’s compliance with its human rights obligations.
Out of the 266 recommendations received by Belarus, 155 were accepted in some form. Of these, only 2 (1.3%) have been fully implemented, and 24 (15.5%) — partially.
Arrested for live streaming a protest, Belarusian journalist and writer Kaciaryna Andrejeva has been imprisoned since 2020.
Her case, featured in our 2025 Case List, reflects the brutal repression of independent voices in Belarus.
Learn more ➡️ www.pen-international.org/identity-on-...
Members of the Network of #HumanRightsHouses condemn the recent actions of the Georgian authorities against Human Rights House Tbilisi and call for the immediate stop of the investigation and reversal of the decision to freeze all of the organisation's bank accounts.
👉 bit.ly/4je6Kq2
Yesterday, we gathered outside the Embassy of #Belarus with a clear demand for #Lukashenka’s regime:
▪️Release all political prisoners
▪️End state violence
▪️Restore democracy in Belarus
We paid tribute to those who continue to pay the price for simply demanding freedom. Thanks to all who joined us.
