LAST >>International PEN Press << PREVIOUS

PEN International marks the 30th Annual Day of the Imprisoned Writer

PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) | 14 November 2011


On 15th November 2011 PEN International, the worldwide association of writers, will mark the 30th Annual Day of the Imprisoned Writer; an international day of action intended to recognize and support writers who have resisted repression of their basic human right to freedom of expression.


This year PEN International is using the occasion both to commemorate the 34 writers who have been killed in the last year and to draw particular attention to a number of recent cases from around the world which demonstrate the kinds of persecution writers and journalists continue to face in carrying out their day-to-day activities.


"For thirty years, on this day, PEN members worldwide have stood, spoken, written in solidarity with our imprisoned, murdered and threatened colleagues," said Marian Botsford Fraser, Chair of PEN International's Writers in Prison Committee. "The writers we honour today are emblematic of the courage writers everywhere show in defiance of brutal, systemic censorship".


This year PEN International will be advocating in particular on behalf of the following writers:




PEN members around the world have also been using the occasion to campaign on behalf of imprisoned or persecuted writers in their own countries.

"This tool of imprisonment is used to send a message – that writers can be controlled; somehow re-educated to mind their words”, said John Ralston Saul, International President of PEN International, “That message was always wrong. It is wrong today. PEN will continue to work for the release of our colleagues”.

More information on the above cases and campaign materials can be found on the PEN International website at http://www.pen-international.org





Note to Editors


PEN International is a leading cultural and advocacyorganisation which celebrates literature and promotes freedom of expression. Founded in 1921, our global community of writers now comprises 144 Centres spanning more than 100 countries. Our programmes, campaigns, events and publications connect writers and readers for global solidarity and cooperation. PEN International is a non-political organization and holds consultative status at the United Nations and UNESCO.

For more information and to request interviews please contact our press office: penoffice@pen-international.org | press@pen-international.org | + 44 (0)20 7405 0338. Or contact Sara Whyatt Sara.whyatt@pen-international.org


Paul Finegan | Research and Campaign Support, Writers in Prison Committee | PEN International t. +44 (0)20 7405 0338 | m. +44 (0)7824640527 | e.Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/pen_int |Facebook http://www.facebook.com/peninternational | http://www.pen-international .org


Celebrating 90 years of promoting literature and defending freedom of expression


International PEN is trading as PEN International. International PEN is a company registered inEnglandandWaleswith registration number 05683997. International PEN is a registered charity inEnglandandWaleswith registration number 1117088. International PEN’s registered office is Brownlow House, 50-51 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6ER,UK.














pen press home




Uyghur Pen

Valid CSS!     W3C Validated website. & CSS Level 2.1.