“When literary heritage and expression are attacked, our capacity to develop the narratives and ideas necessary to understand and address the world’s seemingly intractable challenges is diminished, resulting in a cost borne by us all.” Ma Thida, Chair of PEN International Writers in Prison Committee
23 April 2026: Today, on World Book Day, PEN International launches Writers Under Siege: Defying Silence – PEN International Case List 2026, documenting a troubling global pattern: space for expression, culture and dissent is shrinking as governments intensify efforts to silence critical expression and target writers for their work.