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PEN International

@peninternational.bsky.social

Defending freedom of expression and promoting literature worldwide since 1921.

2,441 Followers  |  2,184 Following  |  440 Posts  |  Joined: 07.01.2025  |  2.2918

Latest posts by peninternational.bsky.social on Bluesky

Statement of Solidarity: Global Sumud Flotilla & Zukiswa Wanner | PEN South Africa Statement of Solidarity: Global Sumud Flotilla & Zukiswa Wanner

We stand with South African writers in denouncing the detention of writer Zukiswa Wanner and fellow Global Sumud Flotilla participants. We call for their immediate release and safe return home. pensouthafrica.co.za/statement-of...

03.10.2025 17:42 — 👍 9    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
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Don’t miss this important discussion! PEN Malaysia, PEN Philippines, and PEN International are hosting a panel ahead of Myanmar’s December elections, exploring the links between the electoral process, violence & restrictions on free expression. Oct 5, 3–4 pm (MYT). meet.google.com/dbh-tngp-fnr

03.10.2025 13:05 — 👍 6    🔁 4    💬 0    📌 0
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Australian says he was improperly arrested in Thailand over his criticism of Malaysia An Australian man arrested in Thailand on a defamation charge he says originated with Malaysia's government claims he is a victim of transnational repression, in which Southeast Asia countries coopera...

#Malaysia #Thailand: We join PEN Malaysia in expressing concern over the arrest of writer & journalist #MurrayHunter by the Thai police, reportedly at the behest of the Malaysian authorities. As ASEAN chair, Malaysia must reflect on the signal this sends. abcnews.go.com/Internationa...

03.10.2025 12:22 — 👍 4    🔁 6    💬 1    📌 0
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📚 PEN Recommends!

Our next recommendation under the theme "Words for Our Planet" is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

A timeless work that asks us to consider how we live together on a changing planet.

03.10.2025 10:43 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

@yavuzekinci.bsky.social

03.10.2025 09:28 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Türkiye: Writer Yavuz Ekinci on trial again as spurious terror-propaganda case resumes — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide ‘That Kurdish writer Yavuz Ekinci finds himself in court again for his writings after the case against him was dismissed exposes the authorities of Türkiye’s pernicious pursuit of those who dare explo...

A verdict is expected on 6 October in the preposterous case against Yavuz Ekinci. He faces years in prison on terror propaganda grounds for his book Rüyası Bölünenler (Dream Divided). We urge #Türkiye to drop all charges and to uphold the freedom to create.
www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...

03.10.2025 09:28 — 👍 12    🔁 8    💬 1    📌 1
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Tucholskypriset 2025 tilldelas fängslade författaren Phạm Đoan Trang — Svenska PEN Den fängslade vietnamesiska författaren Phạm Đoan Trang 2025 års Tucholskypris. Motiveringen lyder: Författaren och publicisten Phạm Đoan Trang tilldelas Tucholskypriset 2025 för sitt hängivna skrivan...

We welcome the news that @pensweden.bsky.social has awarded the 2025 Tucholsky Prize to imprisoned author Phạm Đoan Trang.

This recognition shines an important light on her courage to overcome state censorship and her tireless fight for freedom of expression.

www.svenskapen.se/senaste-nytt...

02.10.2025 15:12 — 👍 4    🔁 4    💬 0    📌 0
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At our 91st PEN International Congress, we gathered in Kraków as a global community of writers to exchange ideas and strengthen solidarity. More than just an Annual General Meeting, Congress provide... At our 91st PEN International Congress, we gathered in Kraków as a global community of writers to exchange ideas and strengthen solidarity. More than just an Annual General Meeting, Congress...

At our 91st PEN International Congress, we gathered in Krakow as a global community of writers to exchange ideas and strengthen solidarity.

Watch back to see moments from inside the Assembly ⬇️

www.facebook.com/reel/6836280...

02.10.2025 13:56 — 👍 6    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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ANEM alarm: Opasno targetiranje novinara, aktivista i političara u publikaciji koja se deli po Beogradu Asocijacija nezavisnih elektronskih medija (ANEM) ocenjuje kao zabrinjavajuće i opasno deljenje publikacije po beogradskim opštinama u kojima se targetiraju i iznose najgrublje uvrede prema novinarima...

#Serbia: We join partners in condemning the latest smear campaign against writers Marko Vidojković and Dinko Gruhonjić and journalist Ivan Ivanović.

The authorities must urgently ensure their safety and hold those responsible to account.

www.bezbedninovinari.rs/article/1251...

02.10.2025 13:15 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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24 hours left to support our campaign and help protect persecuted writers.

In 2025, threats to writers are more urgent than ever. Across the globe, voices are being silenced, and your support today can offer the protection they desperately need.

www.justgiving.com/campaign/sum...

02.10.2025 11:00 — 👍 5    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
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Türkiye: Top Court Upholds Rights Defender’s Life Term — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide Conviction of Osman Kavala and Four Others Needs Urgent International Response 10 October: The prosecution of the rights defender and businessman Osman Kavala and four codefendants in connection ...

#Türkiye: Honorary PEN member and publisher #OsmanKavala should be celebrating his birthday with his family, not behind bars.

The global PEN community continues to stand with Kavala and to urge his immediate release.

Read more about his case ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...

02.10.2025 09:03 — 👍 11    🔁 6    💬 0    📌 3

#USA: PEN International joins over 100 others to call on the Department of Homeland Security and Customs Enforcement to immediately release Mario Guevara.

Read our joint letter ⬇️

@penamericas.bsky.social

01.10.2025 13:19 — 👍 6    🔁 4    💬 0    📌 0

@article19.bsky.social @indexoncensorship.org @hongkongwatch.bsky.social @cpjunion.bsky.social

01.10.2025 13:05 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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China-Hong Kong: PEN International joins urgent UN letter from 52 Rights Groups on systemic abuses in Hong Kong’s Prisons — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression W... 30 September : Today, PEN International joined the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation, PEN America and dozens of other organisations in a joint letter to UN officials drawing urgent...

#China #HongKong: Today, PEN International joined 50+ organisations in a joint letter to the UN exposing systematic abuse in Hong Kong’s prisons.

Read the full letter ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...

01.10.2025 12:48 — 👍 4    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0
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48 hours left to show support for our campaign. As President of PEN International, Burhan Sonmez reminds us, truth must survive against repression.

Your support can help us protect the writers who keep those ideals alive.

www.justgiving.com/campaign/sum...

01.10.2025 11:14 — 👍 4    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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#USA: PEN International President Burhan Sonmez speaks with BBC News, condemning the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live as a dangerous step, undermining democratic principles. Echoing tactics used by au... #USA: PEN International President Burhan Sonmez speaks with BBC News, condemning the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live as a dangerous step, undermining democratic principles. Echoing tactics used by...

#USA: PEN International President Burhan Sonmez speaks with BBC News, condemning the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live as a dangerous step, undermining democratic principles.

Freedom of expression must be defended in the US and everywhere.

Watch the full interview ⬇️

www.facebook.com/peninternati...

01.10.2025 09:22 — 👍 4    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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Afghanistan: Taliban imposes nationwide communications blackout, cutting off millions from the outside world — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide ‘ The ongoing internet shutdown is a grave escalation of the Taliban’s longstanding efforts to silence any form of expression it disagrees with. By isolating Afghanistan from the outside world and den...

#Afghanistan: The Taliban’s nationwide internet blackout is an alarming escalation in its assault on free expression.

PEN International calls for the immediate reversal of the shutdown.

Read our full statement ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/afghani...

30.09.2025 13:49 — 👍 13    🔁 6    💬 2    📌 0

@accessnow.org

30.09.2025 11:20 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Sudan: End the suspension of WhatsApp voice and video calls — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide 30 September 2025: PEN International is joining a coalition of human rights organisations denouncing the Sudanese authorities’ ongoing restrictions on digital communications, including the blocking of...

#Sudan: We join Access Now and 60 partner groups urging authorities to lift the WhatsApp suspension. Blocking communication violates free expression and access to information. Global action is needed to protect rights in Sudan.

www.pen-international.org/news/sudan-e...

#KeepItOn

30.09.2025 11:13 — 👍 7    🔁 2    💬 2    📌 0
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#مصر تدين منظمة القلم الدولية بشدة استدعاء نيابة أمن الدولة العليا للشاعر المصري #أحمد_دومة للمرة الخامسة خلال العام الماضي بتهم جديدة. وقد أُفرج عنه بكفالة قدرها 50 ألف جنيه مصري. يجب على مصر أن توقف استخدام المضايقات القضائية لترهيب منتقدي الحكومة.

29.09.2025 15:31 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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We strongly condemn the summoning of Egyptian poet Ahmed Douma for the fifth time in the past year by the Supreme State Security Prosecution on fresh charges. He was released on bail of 50,000 EGP. Egypt must end its use of judicial harassment to intimidate government critics. @penmena.bsky.social

29.09.2025 15:00 — 👍 18    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0
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Egypt: Writer and investigative journalist Ismail Alexandrani arrested and detained for speaking up on social media  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldw... “We are shocked to see Ismail being arrested again for speaking up against human rights abuses in Egypt. He endured more than seven years of unjust imprisonment for his work, and it's unacceptable to ...

#Egypt: PEN International strongly condemns the arrest of award-winning writer & journalist Ismail Alexandrani, detained once again simply for his online expression.

Read our statement @penmena.bsky.social ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/egypt-w...

26.09.2025 15:42 — 👍 10    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 1
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📚 PEN Recommends!
Our next recommendation under the theme 'Words for Our Planet' is La Mucama de Omicunlé by Rita Indiana.With visions of the future, Indiana asks us to imagine new ways of living with the Earth and its possible tomorrows. An inventive call to rethink our place on a fragile planet.

26.09.2025 13:34 — 👍 5    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Over 100 Nobel Laureates join PEN International in support of Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide 21 May: PEN International, the literary and free expression organisation, has released a letter signed by 103 Nobel Laureates, expressing solidarity with writer, human rights defender, Nobel Peace Pri...

#Belarus: Nobel Peace Prize winner and penbelarus.bsky.social member Ales Bialiatski turns 63 today – the 5th birthday he spends behind bars.

The PEN International community continues to stand with Ales and to urge his immediate release.

#FreeViasna

www.pen-international.org/news/nobel-l...

25.09.2025 13:36 — 👍 23    🔁 10    💬 0    📌 1
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China: Joint Statement from Civil Society Groups on the Chinese Government’s Arbitrary Detention of Journalist Zhang Zhan — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression W... 14 May 2025: We, the undersigned press freedom and human rights organisations, strongly condemn the Chinese government's ongoing arbitrary detention of journalist, human rights defender and former law...

#China: Journalist Zhang Zhan’s new sentence under the nebulous charge of 'picking quarrels and provoking trouble' “picking quarrels” shows how the country's legal system is misused as a tool to silence free expression.

Read more about the case ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/china-j...

25.09.2025 13:01 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Türkiye: PEN member Joakim Medin to be tried in absentia  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide Update 25 September 2025: Joakim Medin’s hearing has been postponed to 8 January 2026. He continues to face years in prison on preposterous terrorism grounds. PEN International, PEN Sweden and PEN N...

#Türkiye: The hearing of @pensweden.bsky.social member Joakim Medin has been postponed to 8 January 2026. He continues to face years in prison on preposterous terrorism grounds.

All charges against him must be dropped.

Read our latest statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...

25.09.2025 10:15 — 👍 4    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0

#USA: We are pleased to see Jimmy Kimmel return. His case reminds us of the urgent need to resist worsening threats to free expression. We can only hope his words spark a louder and more consistent opposition to the Trump administration’s attacks on free speech.

@penamericas.bsky.social

25.09.2025 09:19 — 👍 5    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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As we look back at our 91st Congress in partnership with PEN Poland, we are reminded of the urgency of coming together, of the power in mobilisation and collective movement.

Image Credit: Daria Krotova

24.09.2025 13:34 — 👍 5    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

CC: @penamericas.bsky.social

24.09.2025 10:48 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Cuba: Trial of writer José Gabriel Barrenechea Chávez set to open  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide ‘Cuban writers and artists continue to face relentless persecution for their books, articles, and protests. The government’s systematic efforts to silence them reveal the profound fear of free express...

#Cuba: Independent journalist and author José Gabriel Barrenechea will stand trial today, facing up to six years in prison. His case reflects the Cuban authorities’ systematic campaign to silence independent voices.

Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/cuba-tr...

24.09.2025 10:48 — 👍 4    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0

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