Writers in Prison Committee
The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPCE) of PEN International stands at the heart of the our commitment to freedom of expression.Established in 1960, in response to the growing number of writers being imprisoned or silenced, and to mounting concern over the repression of those detained for their words.
Today, it supports writers, journalists, poets, bloggers, and public intellectuals who are imprisoned, detained, threatened, or otherwise targeted for their words by authorities. The Committee documents individual cases and mobilises PEN’s global network to demand justice and accountability. Its work brings visibility to abuses that often take place in secrecy, underscoring that the imprisonment of a writer is never an isolated act, but an attack on the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
From the Committee
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Ma Thida
Chair
Ma Thida is a Burmese writer, medical doctor, and long-standing advocate for freedom of expression. Imprisoned in Myanmar in 1993 for her peaceful writings and political activities, she spent nearly six years in detention. She has been involved with PEN International for over a decade, including as a founding leader of PEN Myanmar and as an active contributor to PEN’s international human rights work. She currently serves as Chair of PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee, bringing lived experience and global solidarity to the defence of persecuted writers.
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