In Focus

    View our full Photostream on Flickr

      Every year, PEN International hosts a number of events around the world promoting freedom of expression and celebrating literature in a variety of ways. PEN Centres stage events such as literary festivals large and small, storytelling sessions with families and children, book clubs and everything in between. One important occasion to mark is the annual Day of the Imprisoned Writer, 15 November, which gives the entire PEN community a chance to celebrate our work across the world as well as drawing attention to the ongoing persecution faced by many writers today.

    • 25 Feb 2012 Addis Ababa
      Ethiopian PEN Writers’ Congress
    • 29 Feb 2012 san miguel de allende
      San Miguel de Allende Writers Aloud event series
    • 14 Mar 2012 san miguel de allende
      San Miguel de Allende Writers Aloud event series

    Campaign Resources

    Here you can find current and past publications from the PEN International Writers in Prison Committee.

    Caselist January - June 2011

    January-June 2010 caselist

    July-December 2010 caselist

    Caselist January - June 2011
    Caselists The Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International produces a case list twice a year which details cases of writers detained or otherwise persecuted around the world. Read the last three caselists here; others are available upon request.

    Writers in Prison Handbook 2010
    The Writers in Prison Committee Handbook was produced to aid PEN Centres in their campaigning for writers detained or otherwise persecuted around the world.

    Writers in Prison Committee Anti Terror Report 2004
    Anti-Terror Report 2004 produced by PEN International and PEN Centre Català.

    Criminal Defamation Reports 2006-2007 The Writers in Prison Committee produced a series of reports on criminal defamation. Click below to read “Defamation and ‘Insult’: Writers React” and reports focussed on Europe, Mexico and Turkey.
    Defamation WIPC Report
    Defamation and Insult WIPC Report: Europe
    Defamation and Insult WIPC Report: Mexico
    Defamation and Insult WIPC Report: Turkey

    This post is also available in: French, Spanish

    PEN International celebrates literature and promotes freedom of expression. Founded in 1921, our global community of writers now spans more than 100 countries. Our campaigns, events, publications and programmes aim to connect writers and readers wherever they are in the world.