PEN International
@peninternational.bsky.social
Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2025 ✒️ Take action. 🔗 https://www.pen-international.org/our-campaigns/day-of-the-imprisoned-writer-2025
#DayoftheImprisonedWriter: Tomorrow, on #HumanRightsDay, our campaign comes to a close but our actions and words will continue. Over the past weeks, we’ve stood together for four imprisoned writers, raising our voices for freedom and justice.
Until every voice is free, none of us are truly free.
Until every voice is free, none of us are truly free.
December 9, 2025 at 1:02 PM
#DayoftheImprisonedWriter: Tomorrow, on #HumanRightsDay, our campaign comes to a close but our actions and words will continue. Over the past weeks, we’ve stood together for four imprisoned writers, raising our voices for freedom and justice.
Until every voice is free, none of us are truly free.
Until every voice is free, none of us are truly free.
As the Day of the Imprisoned Writer draws to a close, we share a message of solidarity from award-winning author Maaza Mengiste to imprisoned writer Rory Branker, affirming that he is not alone and that many stand with him in the struggle for freedom.
www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
December 9, 2025 at 10:00 AM
As the Day of the Imprisoned Writer draws to a close, we share a message of solidarity from award-winning author Maaza Mengiste to imprisoned writer Rory Branker, affirming that he is not alone and that many stand with him in the struggle for freedom.
www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Huge congratulations to Elif Shafak, newly elected President of the Royal Society of Literature. A powerful advocate for free expression and the unifying force of storytelling. We celebrate this well-deserved recognition!. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...
Elif Shafak named new president of the Royal Society of Literature
The British-Turkish writer was elected after a vote among the society’s fellows, with outgoing president Bernardine Evaristo describing her selection as ‘terrifically inspired’
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Huge congratulations to Elif Shafak, newly elected President of the Royal Society of Literature. A powerful advocate for free expression and the unifying force of storytelling. We celebrate this well-deserved recognition!. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...
Georgia is jailing journalists for doing their job. Join the discussion on #MziaAmaglobeli’s imprisonment, the wave of arrests since 2024 & how to defend media freedom. Organised by @mediafreedomeu.bsky.social in partnership with us. www.mfrr.eu/jailed-for-d...
#FreeMzia #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
#FreeMzia #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
Jailed for dissent: Georgian journalists and writers under crackdown
www.mfrr.eu
December 8, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Georgia is jailing journalists for doing their job. Join the discussion on #MziaAmaglobeli’s imprisonment, the wave of arrests since 2024 & how to defend media freedom. Organised by @mediafreedomeu.bsky.social in partnership with us. www.mfrr.eu/jailed-for-d...
#FreeMzia #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
#FreeMzia #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
SIGN OUR PETITION: #YalqunRozi has spent 9 years behind bars in Xinjiang for celebrating the Uyghur language and heritage. On this #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, we call for his release and an end to the crackdown on Uyghur voices. Be a voice for his freedom.
Yalqun Rozi — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
GIVING TUESDAY: SUPPORT WRITERS AT RISK
www.pen-international.org
December 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
SIGN OUR PETITION: #YalqunRozi has spent 9 years behind bars in Xinjiang for celebrating the Uyghur language and heritage. On this #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, we call for his release and an end to the crackdown on Uyghur voices. Be a voice for his freedom.
As we reach the final days of the #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, we share a message from novelist Lauren Groff to imprisoned Algerian poet #MohamedTadjadit. We invite you to join Lauren in writing your own letter.
💌 Read Lauren’s full letter:
static1.squarespace.com/static/628f9...
💌 Read Lauren’s full letter:
static1.squarespace.com/static/628f9...
December 6, 2025 at 12:09 PM
As we reach the final days of the #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, we share a message from novelist Lauren Groff to imprisoned Algerian poet #MohamedTadjadit. We invite you to join Lauren in writing your own letter.
💌 Read Lauren’s full letter:
static1.squarespace.com/static/628f9...
💌 Read Lauren’s full letter:
static1.squarespace.com/static/628f9...
#DayoftheImprisonedWriter, we honour #RoryBranker #YalqunRozi #MohamedTadjadit #MziaAmaglobeli.
Messages of hope may seem small, but for writers unjustly imprisoned, they are a lifeline. Stand with them 📢 www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Messages of hope may seem small, but for writers unjustly imprisoned, they are a lifeline. Stand with them 📢 www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
December 4, 2025 at 4:12 PM
#DayoftheImprisonedWriter, we honour #RoryBranker #YalqunRozi #MohamedTadjadit #MziaAmaglobeli.
Messages of hope may seem small, but for writers unjustly imprisoned, they are a lifeline. Stand with them 📢 www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Messages of hope may seem small, but for writers unjustly imprisoned, they are a lifeline. Stand with them 📢 www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
#India: We welcome the imminent release of academic Hany Babu following the approval of his bail application. Detained without trial for over 5 years, this ruling recognises the grave injustice he has faced.
Learn more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/india-a...
Learn more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/india-a...
India: Academic Hany Babu’s bail hearing to take place after five years in jail without trial — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
Update (4 December 2025) : The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Hany Babu, following his application on the basis of his prolonged detention without trial. Following the completion of formalitie...
www.pen-international.org
December 4, 2025 at 11:58 AM
#India: We welcome the imminent release of academic Hany Babu following the approval of his bail application. Detained without trial for over 5 years, this ruling recognises the grave injustice he has faced.
Learn more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/india-a...
Learn more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/india-a...
PEN International proudly launched Lenguas Vivas at FIL Guadalajara 2025—a new anthology curated and edited by Miguel Ángel Oxlaj Cúmez, featuring 26 Indigenous authors from five countries.
Supported by the Hawthornden Foundation.
Read the anthology: www.pen-international.org/news/pen-int...
Supported by the Hawthornden Foundation.
Read the anthology: www.pen-international.org/news/pen-int...
December 4, 2025 at 10:44 AM
PEN International proudly launched Lenguas Vivas at FIL Guadalajara 2025—a new anthology curated and edited by Miguel Ángel Oxlaj Cúmez, featuring 26 Indigenous authors from five countries.
Supported by the Hawthornden Foundation.
Read the anthology: www.pen-international.org/news/pen-int...
Supported by the Hawthornden Foundation.
Read the anthology: www.pen-international.org/news/pen-int...
Join Khalid Abdalla in taking action for writers whose voices are being silenced. #RoryBranker, #YalqunRozi, #MohamedTadjadit, and #MziaAmaglobeli are facing imprisonment and persecution for speaking truth.
Defend the freedom to write today: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Defend the freedom to write today: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
December 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Join Khalid Abdalla in taking action for writers whose voices are being silenced. #RoryBranker, #YalqunRozi, #MohamedTadjadit, and #MziaAmaglobeli are facing imprisonment and persecution for speaking truth.
Defend the freedom to write today: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Defend the freedom to write today: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Burhan Sonmez will be in Rome with acclaimed writers and members of the aspiring PEN Rome Centre to discuss freedom of speech and press.
Joining Janeczek, Lipperini, @robertosaviano.bsky.social and Veronesi at an event by Più libri più liberi.
Find out more (IT): plpl.it/news/event/l...
Joining Janeczek, Lipperini, @robertosaviano.bsky.social and Veronesi at an event by Più libri più liberi.
Find out more (IT): plpl.it/news/event/l...
plpl.it
December 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Burhan Sonmez will be in Rome with acclaimed writers and members of the aspiring PEN Rome Centre to discuss freedom of speech and press.
Joining Janeczek, Lipperini, @robertosaviano.bsky.social and Veronesi at an event by Più libri più liberi.
Find out more (IT): plpl.it/news/event/l...
Joining Janeczek, Lipperini, @robertosaviano.bsky.social and Veronesi at an event by Più libri più liberi.
Find out more (IT): plpl.it/news/event/l...
#DayoftheImprisonedWriter: Stand with #MziaAmaglobeli ✍️
She’s jailed for doing her job. Send a message of solidarity, write to the authorities and share her story online to show her she is not alone and to support her fight for justice! 📣
Take action: www.pen-international.org/mzia-amaglob...
She’s jailed for doing her job. Send a message of solidarity, write to the authorities and share her story online to show her she is not alone and to support her fight for justice! 📣
Take action: www.pen-international.org/mzia-amaglob...
December 3, 2025 at 12:08 PM
#DayoftheImprisonedWriter: Stand with #MziaAmaglobeli ✍️
She’s jailed for doing her job. Send a message of solidarity, write to the authorities and share her story online to show her she is not alone and to support her fight for justice! 📣
Take action: www.pen-international.org/mzia-amaglob...
She’s jailed for doing her job. Send a message of solidarity, write to the authorities and share her story online to show her she is not alone and to support her fight for justice! 📣
Take action: www.pen-international.org/mzia-amaglob...
PEN International President Burhan Sonmez speaks with Corriere della Sera about publishing his first Kurdish novel and its meaning for identity, memory, and literary freedom — also featured on Rai Radio 3’s Pagina 3 (in Italian).
Pagina 3 | Rai Radio 3 | RaiPlay Sound
Il programma radiofonico di approfondimento delle pagine culturali e dello spettacolo, che dà voce a scrittori, intellettuali e saggisti, fra le firme italiane più prestigiose, ma anche a giovani tale...
www.raiplaysound.it
December 3, 2025 at 10:31 AM
PEN International President Burhan Sonmez speaks with Corriere della Sera about publishing his first Kurdish novel and its meaning for identity, memory, and literary freedom — also featured on Rai Radio 3’s Pagina 3 (in Italian).
#Türkiye: We welcome the release of journalist and author Furkan Karabay after 201 behind bars on spurious grounds.
We call for his conviction to be overturned and for his judicial harassment to end once and for all.
bianet.org/haber/gazete...
We call for his conviction to be overturned and for his judicial harassment to end once and for all.
bianet.org/haber/gazete...
Gazeteci Furkan Karabay hakkında ceza ve tahliye kararı
İstanbul 25. Ağır Ceza Mahkemesinde görülen duruşmada mahkeme başkanı Karabay’ın beyanını kesti. Savcı, iddianame doğrultusunda cezalandırma istedi. Mahkeme, Karabay'a 4 yıl 3 ay hapis cezası vererek ...
bianet.org
December 2, 2025 at 6:25 PM
#Türkiye: We welcome the release of journalist and author Furkan Karabay after 201 behind bars on spurious grounds.
We call for his conviction to be overturned and for his judicial harassment to end once and for all.
bianet.org/haber/gazete...
We call for his conviction to be overturned and for his judicial harassment to end once and for all.
bianet.org/haber/gazete...
Give Back Friday doesn’t end on Friday.
Today, we continue giving back by standing with writers whose voices are under threat. This Giving Tuesday, your support helps us provide urgent assistance and protection for those risking everything to speak truth to power. www.justgiving.com/charity/pen-...
Today, we continue giving back by standing with writers whose voices are under threat. This Giving Tuesday, your support helps us provide urgent assistance and protection for those risking everything to speak truth to power. www.justgiving.com/charity/pen-...
PEN International
www.justgiving.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Give Back Friday doesn’t end on Friday.
Today, we continue giving back by standing with writers whose voices are under threat. This Giving Tuesday, your support helps us provide urgent assistance and protection for those risking everything to speak truth to power. www.justgiving.com/charity/pen-...
Today, we continue giving back by standing with writers whose voices are under threat. This Giving Tuesday, your support helps us provide urgent assistance and protection for those risking everything to speak truth to power. www.justgiving.com/charity/pen-...
With just 8 days left of our Day of the Imprisoned Writer campaign, we call on our community to stand with #MohamedTadjadit #YalqunRozi #MziaAmaglobeli #RoryBranker. This campaign reminds us that freedom of expression survives through solidarity and collective action.
December 2, 2025 at 11:17 AM
With just 8 days left of our Day of the Imprisoned Writer campaign, we call on our community to stand with #MohamedTadjadit #YalqunRozi #MziaAmaglobeli #RoryBranker. This campaign reminds us that freedom of expression survives through solidarity and collective action.
We mourn the passing of Hege Newth (1966–2025), a tireless champion for persecuted writers and former Secretary General of Norsk PEN. Her dedication, wisdom, and courage leave a lasting legacy. Our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. norskpen.no/nyheter/hege...
Hege Newth (1966 – 2025) - Norsk PEN
Det er med stor sorg vi i går kveld fikk beskjed om at tidligere generalsekretær i Norsk PEN, Hege Newth er gått bort.
norskpen.no
December 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
We mourn the passing of Hege Newth (1966–2025), a tireless champion for persecuted writers and former Secretary General of Norsk PEN. Her dedication, wisdom, and courage leave a lasting legacy. Our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. norskpen.no/nyheter/hege...
Journalist Furkan Karabay goes on trial tomorrow, facing 6–15 years on politically motivated charges in Türkiye. Detained since May and held in solitary, he continues to write.
Read his work in the most recent article of PEN/Opp:
penopp.org/articles/i-w...
Read his work in the most recent article of PEN/Opp:
penopp.org/articles/i-w...
I Will Never Forget You, I Will Immortalize You
PART 1: PRISON DOESN’T LIKE HEALTHY PRISONERS
penopp.org
December 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Journalist Furkan Karabay goes on trial tomorrow, facing 6–15 years on politically motivated charges in Türkiye. Detained since May and held in solitary, he continues to write.
Read his work in the most recent article of PEN/Opp:
penopp.org/articles/i-w...
Read his work in the most recent article of PEN/Opp:
penopp.org/articles/i-w...
This month’s reading list is themed “From Behind Bars” in for our #DayoftheImprisonedWriter campaign. These works, born from experiences behind bars remind us that the human voice endures even when freedom is taken away.
Take action for those behind bars: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Take action for those behind bars: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
November 29, 2025 at 1:48 PM
This month’s reading list is themed “From Behind Bars” in for our #DayoftheImprisonedWriter campaign. These works, born from experiences behind bars remind us that the human voice endures even when freedom is taken away.
Take action for those behind bars: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Take action for those behind bars: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
A letter from PEN International. Your Give Back Friday donation helps writers facing censorship, persecution, and danger. Read more and donate today ❤️
www.pen-international.org/give-back-fr...
www.pen-international.org/give-back-fr...
Give Back Friday — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
Join PEN International's Friends program to defend freedom of expression and promote literature globally. Receive exclusive updates, reading recommendations, and a complimentary copy of 'PEN Internati...
www.pen-international.org
November 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A letter from PEN International. Your Give Back Friday donation helps writers facing censorship, persecution, and danger. Read more and donate today ❤️
www.pen-international.org/give-back-fr...
www.pen-international.org/give-back-fr...
@maazamengiste.bsky.social writes to imprisoned writer #RoryBranker: “There are more people than you realise who stand with you in your fight for freedom.”
For #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, add your voice.
💌 Write your own message: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
For #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, add your voice.
💌 Write your own message: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
November 28, 2025 at 1:10 PM
@maazamengiste.bsky.social writes to imprisoned writer #RoryBranker: “There are more people than you realise who stand with you in your fight for freedom.”
For #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, add your voice.
💌 Write your own message: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
For #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, add your voice.
💌 Write your own message: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
EVERYONE ELSE: buying things they don’t actually need.
YOU: supporting writers who desperately need protection. ❤️
Your donation helps PEN International defend writers at risk worldwide - those imprisoned, exiled or silenced for their work.
www.pen-international.org/give-back-fr...
YOU: supporting writers who desperately need protection. ❤️
Your donation helps PEN International defend writers at risk worldwide - those imprisoned, exiled or silenced for their work.
www.pen-international.org/give-back-fr...
Give Back Friday — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
Join PEN International's Friends program to defend freedom of expression and promote literature globally. Receive exclusive updates, reading recommendations, and a complimentary copy of 'PEN Internati...
www.pen-international.org
November 28, 2025 at 10:20 AM
EVERYONE ELSE: buying things they don’t actually need.
YOU: supporting writers who desperately need protection. ❤️
Your donation helps PEN International defend writers at risk worldwide - those imprisoned, exiled or silenced for their work.
www.pen-international.org/give-back-fr...
YOU: supporting writers who desperately need protection. ❤️
Your donation helps PEN International defend writers at risk worldwide - those imprisoned, exiled or silenced for their work.
www.pen-international.org/give-back-fr...
WRITE A MESSAGE OF HOPE: For simply doing her job as a journalist, #MziaAmaglobeli is serving a two-year prison sentence in Georgia on politically motivated grounds.
www.pen-international.org/mzia-amaglob...
Send her a message and remind her that her words matter. #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
www.pen-international.org/mzia-amaglob...
Send her a message and remind her that her words matter. #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
November 27, 2025 at 7:40 PM
WRITE A MESSAGE OF HOPE: For simply doing her job as a journalist, #MziaAmaglobeli is serving a two-year prison sentence in Georgia on politically motivated grounds.
www.pen-international.org/mzia-amaglob...
Send her a message and remind her that her words matter. #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
www.pen-international.org/mzia-amaglob...
Send her a message and remind her that her words matter. #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
Black Friday may give you 50% off, but Give Back Friday lets you give 100% hope. Skip the extra gadget and help protect writers. Donate to PEN International — because free expression shouldn’t be a luxury item 👉 www.justgiving.com/charity/pen-...
November 27, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Black Friday may give you 50% off, but Give Back Friday lets you give 100% hope. Skip the extra gadget and help protect writers. Donate to PEN International — because free expression shouldn’t be a luxury item 👉 www.justgiving.com/charity/pen-...
PEN International celebrates @smohyeddin.bsky.social, winner of the 2025 Ken Filkow Prize from @pencanada.bsky.social for her courageous journalism and defence of free expression.
Learn more about the prize and its past recipients:
pencanada.ca/defend-expre...
Learn more about the prize and its past recipients:
pencanada.ca/defend-expre...
November 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM
PEN International celebrates @smohyeddin.bsky.social, winner of the 2025 Ken Filkow Prize from @pencanada.bsky.social for her courageous journalism and defence of free expression.
Learn more about the prize and its past recipients:
pencanada.ca/defend-expre...
Learn more about the prize and its past recipients:
pencanada.ca/defend-expre...