Scottish PEN

Scottish PEN has issued a statement in solidarity with writers, artists and activists in Scotland subject to the abuse of terror laws. * The statement begins: "Scottish PEN stands in solidarity with writers, artists and activists arrested in Scotland and charged under the Terrorism Act for protesting in support of the ideal of one humanity living in peace in one world. These protesters include acclaimed Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty and Scottish PEN’s Vice President, Lizzie Eldridge. We support their recent refusal to accept a warning from the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal in relation to these actions."

Scottish PEN has issued a statement in solidarity with writers, artists and activists in Scotland subject to the abuse of terror laws.

See the image or visit our website for the full text.

Israeli forces abducted journalist and former hostage Mohammad Assida last night during a raid on his home in the town of Tell, south of Nablus.

This week in #FreeExpression news:

🔹 #US shutters RFE/RL’s #Hungary service for “opposing” Orbán
🔹 LGBTQI+ journalists targeted in #Turkey
🔹 #Samoa government blocks daily newspaper from press access

📬 Read more & subscribe: buff.ly/iHp8lju #IFEXThisWeek

🎬 London: CPJ is proud to support the documentary "#ArmedOnlyWithACamera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud." Join us for a screening and Q&A with the filmmakers.

🗓️ 13 Norfolk Place | Dec. 8 | 7-8:30 PM GMT

Register👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/screening-...

Plan to reduce jury trials an ‘irremediable error’, lawyers say in MoJ letter More than 100 lawyers have accused the Ministry of Justice of ignoring the legal profession’s objections More than 100 lawyers who wrote to the Ministry of Justice expressing significant concerns about plans to severely restrict jury trials say representations by the legal profession are being ignored. The government is expected to formally announce the changes, which have caused deep division among the judiciary and senior lawyers, as soon as next week. Continue reading...

Plan to reduce jury trials an ‘irremediable error’, lawyers say in MoJ letter

Poster providing some details regarding the lecture. Additional details will be made available on Evintbrite prior to the event on 11 December.

Scottish PEN’s annual Naomi Mitchison Lecture for 2025, “The Menace of Hope at the Back of Life: Practical Philosophies of Protest, Permaculture, and the Pen” – will be delivered by Professor Alison Phipps at the University of Glasgow on 11 December.

READING SCOTLAND with Margaret Bennett Why Scotland Celebrates St Andrew's Day Tuesday 2nd December 2025 6.00–7.30 pm (German time) on MS Teams www.scotland.uni-mainz.de

Reading Scotland with Margaret Bennet
Why Scotland Celebrates St Andrew's Day
2 Dec, online – free

Dr Margaret Bennet talks about the relevance of celebrating St Andrew’s Day today & dives into the origins of this national holiday
www.scotland.uni-mainz.de/reading-scot...

We’re just over $61,000 shy of reaching our goal for the year!

Please consider supporting @freedom.press with a tax-deductible gift.

Any donations made before Dec. 31 will be DOUBLED, up to $75,000.

freedom.press/donate/

@peninternational.bsky.social @irishpen.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social @amnestyuk.bsky.social @scotnational.bsky.social @libertyhq.bsky.social @defendourjuries.bsky.social @asls.org.uk

Paul Laverty joins Scottish activists in burning Crown Office terror case letter AWARD-WINNING Scottish writer Paul Laverty has joined pro-Palestine protesters facing terrorism charges in burning prosecutors' offers of getting…

We stand in solidarity with these activists, peaceful protesters arrested under the Terrorism Act, including our Vice President @lizzie4.bsky.social
We abhor the use of extreme powers to clamp down on freedom of expression & the right to protest.
www.thenational.scot/news/2564682...

Since the implementation of the ceasefire in Lebanon, the IDF has murdered 338 men, women and children They have wounded hundreds more.

#Bahrain 🇧🇭 By detaining Ebrahim Sharif on false news and insult charges, the authorities are reinforcing a systematic campaign to silence critical voices, says ADHRB.
buff.ly/rNK2B52

Algeria’s protest poet will need more than awards to avoid a life in prison | The Observer

Algeria’s protest poet will need more than awards to avoid a life in prison

Jailed for his verse, former fruit seller Mohamed Tadjadit has exposed the Algerian regime’s weaknesses. But that may not help his case

✍️ Steve Bloomfield
https://bit.ly/3JPyHso

Computer's First Christmas Card: a Poetry/Coding workshop Poetry Coding Workshop with the Edwin Morgan Collection. An introduction to coding and poetry with Michael Mullen and Claire Quigley.

Computer’s First Christmas Card: a Poetry/Coding workshop
4 Dec, Glasgow – free

Inspired by Edwin Morgan’s poem, attendees at this Poetry/Coding workshop will code a festive poem & leave with a handmade Christmas card! No experience of coding or poetry necessary
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/computers-...

Strengthen the Freedom of Information Act Defending press freedom for the next generation

From endless delays in response time to ridiculously overbroad ██████ redactions, FOIA is plagued with problems.

Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:

“It’s one thing to call someone a “bastard” when you know perfectly well their parents are married.

It’s another thing to call someone a “terrorist” when you know perfectly well they aren’t.

Particularly when you’re the government.”

Sign up: wedonotcomply.org

@peninternational.bsky.social @irishpen.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social @scotnational.bsky.social @asls.org.uk @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social

Thank you, Omar El Akkad, for your powerful words of truth & resistance.
"If we are to do this work of language, we have an obligation to stand in opposition to any force...that if left unchecked would happily decimate every principle of free expression & connection that we come here to celebrate."

#OtD 24 Nov 1942 Scottish comedian and former shipyard apprentice, Billy Connolly, was born. He was involved in the Clyde shipyards apprentices strikes of the 1960s, striking alongside future Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson, among others stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/9685...

Scottish arts workers slam Angus Robertson for 'unacceptable' Gaza letter

Scottish arts workers have slammed Angus Robertson for an 'unacceptable' Gaza letter

Exhibition to honour memory of thousands of children killed in Gaza

A new exhibition in Scotland aims to honour the memory of children who have died in Gaza since October 2023, with a calligrapher spending months writing out their names

London Police Arrest Peaceful Protesters for Carrying Signs Supporting Palestine Action In London, police arrested at least 47 supporters of the banned direct action group Palestine Action as they held a peaceful protest outside the Ministry of Justice on Thursday. They’re the latest of ...

Police arrested at least 47 supporters of Palestine Action as they held a peaceful protest outside the Ministry of Justice on Thursday.

Police dragged away protesters for simply carrying signs proclaiming, “I support Palestine Action.”

www.democracynow.org/2025/11/21/h...

Boris Johnson's lack of leadership blamed for 23,000 Covid deaths A scathing report by inquiry chair Baroness Hallett also criticises the Department of Health, led by the current Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald and the then minister Matt Hancock

Boris Johnson’s lack of leadership over the seriousness of Covid led to the first lockdown being introduced too late, which contributed to the loss of 23,000 lives, the official inquiry into his handling of the pandemic has concluded

inews.co.uk/news/politic...

Noncitizen journalists face risk from ICE — here’s what newsrooms can do We spoke to experts in immigration and media law about how newsrooms should prepare for ICE detentions of journalists

Noncitizen journalists face risk from ICE — here’s what newsrooms can do

Two transgender Pakistanis 'tortured to death' by police in Saudi Arabia Pakistan human rights activists demand information from Saudi Arabia over 11 transgender people still in custody

The Saudi government are brutal butchers who openly engage in torture, murder, and assassination. They should be shunned by polite society everywhere. Instead they're buying their way into everything and corrupting everything they touch.

www.the-independent.com/news/world/m...

Harvard has launched an investigation into Larry Summers and other Harvard affiliates over their ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...

Shabana Mahmood accused of ‘ethnic stereotyping’ by Albania’s PM Edi Rama says home secretary using ‘rhetoric of populist far-right’ after 700 Albanian families singled out for deportation * UK politics live – latest updates Shabana Mahmood has been accused of “ethnic stereotyping” and “indecent demagoguery” by Albania’s prime minister after the home secretary singled out Albanian families and children for refusing to return to their homeland. Edi Rama, the Socialist party leader, has questioned why a Labour politician can “so poorly echo the rhetoric of the populist far-right” after Mahmood’s officials singled out 700 Albanian families for deportation. Continue reading...

Shabana Mahmood accused of ‘ethnic stereotyping’ by Albania’s PM

Khashoggi was killed because he reported on human rights violations, anti-democratic practices, and oppression of dissidents by Crown Prince Salman in Saudi Arabia. As a dissident, any of you could share this fate at any time.

CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi’s assassination Audio recordings, intercepted phone calls and other intelligence link Mohammed bin Salman to killing that Saudis say was conducted by rogue elements.

A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.

www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...

Shabana Mahmood's Asylum Plans Will Put Human Trafficking Victims at Risk, Warn Anti-Slavery Groups Leading anti-slavery organisations have told Byline Times that the new measures could allow trafficking and forced labour to thrive

🔴Shabana Mahmood’s Asylum Plans Will Put Human Trafficking Victims at Risk, Warn Anti-Slavery Groups

Leading anti-slavery organisations have told Byline Times that the new measures could allow trafficking and forced labour to thrive
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/19/s...