Writers Under Siege: Defying Silence – PEN International Case List 2026

“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.