Detention of journalist in Kuwait raises questions about crackdown on freedom of speech Ahmed Shihab-Eldin was arrested after reporting on friendly fire incident during US conflict with Iran

PEN International is gravely concerned by the arrest and detention of prominent Ahmed Shihab-Eldin in Kuwait amid growing restrictions on online expression. We call for his immediate release.

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...

UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule Protest group’s co-founder wins legal challenge against decision to proscribe it under anti-terrorism laws

We welcome the High Court's decision finding the proscription of Palestine Action to be unlawful. Overly broad counter-terrorism legislation can pose a serious threat to the safeguarding of civil liberties.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

#UK: Today, the High Court ruled that the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful.

Read our previous joint statement with @englishpen.bsky.social ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/united-...

Iran protester 'to be executed tomorrow', rights group says, as official says 2,000 killed in crackdown - live updates Eyewitnesses tell the BBC Iranian security forces

#Iran: We are deeply concerned about the deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. Iranian authorities should end the use of deadly force and arbitrary detention, respect freedom of expression, and restore internet services immediately. @penmena.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...

Ales Bialiatski, who won Nobel prize while behind bars, is freed from prison in Belarus The human-rights campaigner won the Nobel Peace Prize while behind bars.

We welcome the long-awaited release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski and Maksim Znak and fellow writers after years behind bars! We continue urging #Belarus to free all those still held on trumped up grounds. #FreeThemAll
www.reuters.com/world/europe...

We are deeply saddened by the death of Tom Stoppard and extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. A longtime supporter of English PEN and the recipient of the 2013 PEN Pinter Prize, Tom's contributions to literature and the arts leave an immense and enduring legacy.

PEN Heaney Prize 2025 shortlist - News & Events - English PEN English PEN announces the six shortlisted titles for the PEN Heaney Prize 2025

Together with @irishpen.bsky.social & the Estate of Seamus Heaney, we’re delighted to announce the PEN Heaney Prize 2025 shortlist. The winner will be announced on 1 December at a ceremony held at @nlireland.bsky.social.

Find out more & book now ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/posts/news/p...

Between Worlds: Sabrina Mahfouz’s Encomium for Leila Aboulela Sabrina Mahfouz’s 2025 PEN Pinter Prize encomium.

'Faith, though often unfashionable in the arts, emerges in Aboulela’s work not as an oppressor, but as a source of solace – a well of deep knowing.'

In #PENTransmissions, Sabrina Mahfouz’s encomium for #PENPinterPrize 2025 winner Leila Aboulela.
pentransmissions.com/2025/10/24/b...

Stella Gaitano wins PEN English Pinter Prize for Writer of Courage 2025 Stella Gaitano was declared the winner of the PEN English Pinter Prize for Writer of Courage 2025 on in London, UK, on October 10, 2025.

Stella Gaitano wins PEN English Pinter Prize for Writer of Courage 2025.
#LiteraryAwards
www.writingafrica.com/stella-gaita...

Leila Aboulela shares PEN Pinter Prize 2025 with Stella Gaitano - News & Events - English PEN

Leila Aboulela, winner of the #PENPinterPrize 2025, has announced writer, journalist and human rights activist, Stella Gaitano, as this year’s Writer of Courage.
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

China-Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai’s son calls for his father’s release at United Nations Human Rights Council — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide 17 September 2025 : Today at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Sebastien Lai addressed the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) on behalf of PEN International, calling on the Hong Kon...

#China: Today, Sebastien Lai addressed the UN Human Rights Council, calling for the immediate release of his father, #HongKong writer and publisher Jimmy Lai, who he fears may die in prison.

See his statement here⬇️ #FreeJimmyLai

www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...

Missing Persons and Missed Connections Em Dial on archives and invitations of silence.

'I am finding with every artefact I encounter that the call of these women is only amplified by their absence.'

In #PENTransmissions, Em Dial on archives and invitations of silence. w/ @pencanada.bsky.social.
pentransmissions.com/2025/09/19/m...

Laila Soueif, Alaa Abd el-Fattah and Sanaa Seif embrace at home, surrounded by friends, following Alaa's release from prison.

We're incredibly relieved that Alaa Abd el-Fattah has finally been released from prison. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported Alaa and his family over these difficult years.
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

Alaa Abd el-Fattah pardoned Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s pardon is a major step forward and a huge relief, FairSquare said today after his lawyer reported that the President had issued a pardon for the British-Egyptian national. FairSqu...

We warmly welcome the news of British-Egyptian writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah's pardon. This is an important and positive development, and a huge relief for his family. We remain by their side and guided by them, and will share more once there is further clarity.
fairsq.org/alaa-abd-el-...

British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah to be freed from prison Reports say writer, who has served six years for liking a Facebook post, has also been given a presidential pardon

#Egypt: We welcome reports that British-Egyptian writer, activist & PEN's case Alaa Abd el-Fattah has been granted a presidential pardon after 6 years unjustly imprisoned for his words. We await his release and will be monitoring the situation in the coming days. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

🎉 Congratulations! Delegates at PEN’s 91st Congress voted with overwhelming support to welcome new Centres:

🟥 PEN Languages of Russia
🟥 PEN Syria
🟥 The Low German & Frisian PEN
🟥 PEN Spain

We look forward to their contributions as they bring their voices into our global network!

PEN International’s resolutions to defend free expression, gender diversity, human rights, and climate justice  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide “At this 91st Congress we affirmed that freedom of expression cannot be atomized —whether in defending peace against authoritarianism, protecting our planet, standing with trans and gender-diverse peo...

At the end of every Congress, PEN Centres adopt resolutions on the greatest threats to freedom of expression today. Together, these commitments reaffirm PEN’s mission.

Read the resolutions from the 91st Congress in Kraków ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/pen-int...

Freedom of Words – Words of the Free: Highlights from PEN International’s 91st Congress in Kraków, Poland — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide “At this Congress in Kraków we saw the importance of our shared mission. Writers from across the world came together to defend freedom of expression, to stand with those silenced by war, censorship, a...

From urgent resolutions to welcoming Nobel Laureate Olga Tokarczuk as Vice President, our 91st Congress reaffirmed literature’s power to resist repression and imagine alternatives in times of crisis.

Read more about our highlights ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/freedom...

NATIONAL DEMO REFUGEES WELCOME STAND UP TO RACISM Saturday 13 September 2025 12 Noon Russell Square, London WC1B 5EH march to Whitehall

NATIONAL DEMO

REFUGEES WELCOME

STAND UP TO RACISM

Saturday 13 September 2025
12 Noon
Russell Square, London WC1B 5EH
march to Whitehall

China-Hong Kong: 72 human rights organisations urge UK PM to secure Jimmy Lai’s release as his health deteriorates — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwid... 21 August 2025: Today, PEN International and PEN Centres joined a coalition of 72 freedom of expression and human rights organisations in a letter to the UK’s Prime Minister, Sir Kier Starmer, urging ...

#HongKong: 72 rights groups urge the UK Prime Minister to secure the release of imprisoned writer & publisher Jimmy Lai, as his health deteriorates.

#FreeJimmyLai

Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...

Israeli army unit tasked with linking Gaza journalists to Hamas Treating the media as a battlefield, a secretive intelligence squad scoured Gaza for material to bolster Israeli hasbara — including questionable claims that would justify the killing of Palestinian r...

NEW: The Israeli army unit tasked with linking Gaza journalists to Hamas

The 'Legitimization Cell' scoured Gaza for material to boost Israeli hasbara — including questionable claims that would justify the killing of Palestinian reporters.

By Yuval Abraham

www.972mag.com/israel-gaza-...

OPT/Israel: The assassination of Aljazeera journalists is another desperate attempt to hide the truth about Israel’s crimes in Gaza — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Ex... “We mourn and condemn the killing of five Palestinian journalists in Gaza, including prominent correspondents Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh. These were civilians, protected under international l...

#OPT: We mourn and condemn the killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in #Gaza, including Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh — targeted for reporting on Gaza’s destruction and suffering. Our statement: www.pen-international.org/news/the-ass...
@penmena.bsky.social

Brian Eno Announces Together for Palestine Benefit Concert in London Eno is executive producing “a night of music, reflection and hope” at Wembley Arena, with a lineup to be announced

Brian Eno has announced Together for Palestine, a concert at London’s Wembley Arena raising funds for families in Gaza

An Evening of Sudanese Literature - News & Events - English PEN

Join us at 6.30pm, 27 Aug, in partnership with @cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social Sheffield, for an evening of readings and discussion with @yassmin.bsky.social, Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi, Salma Ali, Adil Babikir & @mayadamayadamay.bsky.social.

Book now ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/posts/events...

Palestine Action co-founder wins permission to challenge ban Huda Ammori argued that home secretary’s decision to proscribe group under terrorism laws was ‘abuse of power’ The co-founder of Palestine Action can bring a legal challenge to the home secretary’s decision to ban the direct action group under anti-terrorism laws, a high court judge has ruled. Lawyers for Huda Ammori argued at a hearing in London last week that the proscription of Palestine Action, placing it on a par with groups such as Islamic State and Boko Haram, was “repugnant” and an “authoritarian and blatant abuse of power”. Continue reading...

Palestine Action co-founder wins permission to challenge ban

B'tselem, today:
"[T]he unequivocal conclusion [is] that Israel is taking coordinated, deliberate action to destroy Palestinian society in the Gaza Strip. In other words: Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

www.btselem.org/publications...

HAPPENING NOW! 📣📣

UN human rights chief criticises 'disturbing' Palestine Action ban Volker Turk urges the UK government to lift the "unnecessary" ban on the group.

British government’s Palestine Action ban is a “disturbing” abuse of counter-terrorism legislation and should be overturned, says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.

PEN Translates winners announced - News & Events - English PEN Awarding 14 titles from 10 publishers, 13 languages and 11 regions.

We’re delighted to announce that 14 titles from 10 publishers, 13 languages and 11 regions have won #PENTranslates awards – marking 400 books now supported through our programme.
www.englishpen.org/posts/news/p...

Postcards On International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, Nobel Laureate Ales Bialiatski on letters, solidarity, and compassion. Translated by Valzhyna Mort.

#Belarus: Today marks four years since PEN member and Nobel Laureate Ales Bialiatski was arrested on spurious grounds. We reiterate calls for his immediate release and share his powerful message. @penbelarus.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social pentransmissions.com/2025/05/21/p...