Moments from Dr Ma Thida's talk at Curtin University - she reiterated the struggle to continue writing in the face of repression. Please join PEN Perth to keep updated - see link in bio

PEN Perth is co-hosting two FREE events in April with Ma Thida - someone who has lived through repression and turned it into powerful writing and advocacy.

👉A Myanmar update at Murdoch University on 13 April.
👉A conversation at Curtin University on 16 April.

See bio for link - don't miss out!

Speaking truth in dangerous times - Dr Ma Thida in conversation at Curtin University on 16 April. More details and register in bio link.

Drawing on her experience as a Burmese writer, physician, former prisoner of conscience, Ma Thida reflects on what it means to write when words carry real risk.

What is really happening in Myanmar right now?

Dr Ma Thida – writer, surgeon and former prisoner of conscience – offers her rare, lived perspective on a country still in crisis.

13 April 2026
Nexus Theatre, Murdoch University

This event is FREE but please REGISTER NOW at the link in our bio.

Out tomorrow - sign up here! eepurl.com/drdfIz

Imagine being behind bars just for being a woman who writes and speaks out. The Belarusian authorities must release #ValeryjaKaściuhova immediately and unconditionally and ensure she has access to medical care while detained. Stand with her today on International Women's Day 2026. #IWD26

Why We Must Remember Women Writers on International Women’s Day On International Women’s Day, PEN America is working to free women writers from the rising threats they face around the world.

Around the world, women writers face risks because of what they write, where they write, or simply just *because* they write. On #InternationalWomensDay, we encourage you to learn more about women writers at risk, and read some of their words. pen.org/we-must-reme...

‼️ PEN centres are calling for urgent intervention by the Australian Government to secure the safe return of Australian writer Murray Hunter, who is currently detained in Thailand.

✉️ www.pen-international.org/news/austral...

Greetings for writers in prison It is that time of year when we start preparing to celebrate with family and friends. However, some writers and journalists worldwide will not have that opportunity. There are writers around the wo…

Send a letter to a writer in prison this festive season - it really helps them feel that they matter and that they are not forgotten. penperth.com/seasons-gree...

Iran: authorities must release writer and Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi immediately and ensure her safety  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwid... “We are deeply shocked by the news of the brutal assault and subsequent detention of prominent Iranian writer and Nobel laureate, Narges Mohammadi last week. Mohammadi has always faced persecution due...

#Iran: PEN International condemns the violent and arbitrary arrest of Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi on 12 December. We are gravely concerned for her health and safety and call for her immediate and unconditional release.

Read our statement ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/iran-au...

Belarus: PEN members amongst those released into exile — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide ‘The PEN movement has been eagerly campaigning for this moment for years. As we welcome the release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak and Aliaksandr Fiaduta with immense relief, we urge just...

#Belarus: As we welcome the release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak and Aliaksandr Fiaduta with immense relief, we urge justice for the violations they suffered, including their forced exile.

Read our statement ⬇️

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

Jimmy Lai: Pro-democracy Hong Kong tycoon found guilty of national security offences Lai, one of the fiercest critics of the Chinese state, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Shocking news for Jimmy Lai www.bbc.com/news/live/c4...

Fantastic news!

Read our letter urging Penny Wong to negotiate on Murray Hunter's behalf - in our bio

Every message counts to writers in prison. Sometimes, a short message of solidarity might feel like the only light in a very dark tunnel.

Please join @peninternational.bsky.social in sending Uyghur writer #YalqunRozi a message: www.pen-international.org/yalqun-rozi-...

#dayoftheimprisonedwriter

#DayoftheImprisonedWriter: Writer and literary critic #YalqunRozi is serving a 15-year sentence in China for his work promoting Uyghur literature. @peninternational.bsky.social calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

Take action for Yalqun today: pen-international.org/yalqun-rozi-doiw

Australian Murray Hunter is facing criminal charges in Thailand for public-interest commentaries, not crimes. Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair, has a duty to uphold rights and freedoms. Cross-border censorship defies that obligation. PEN Centres are urging urgent intervention. Read the letter in bio

✍️ Algerian poet #MohamedTadjadit — the voice of the Hirak movement — is in prison just for speaking truth to power.

Join PEN International in demanding his immediate
and unconditional release.

📋 TAKE ACTION: www.pen-international.org/mohamed-tadj...

#DayoftheImprisonedWriter

Yalqun Rozi — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

SIGN OUR PETITION: www.pen-international.org/yalqun-rozi-...

Uyghur writer #YalqunRozi has spent 9 years behind bars in China for expressing his cultural identity. Sentenced to 15 years, his only “crime” was helping preserve the Uyghur language. You can set him free. #DayoftheImprisonedWriter

An empty chair for Jimmy Lai at our recent sold-out annual PEN Perth, who has been wrongfully imprisoned for his human rights activism in Hong Kong.

Read about our letter to the UN, calling for an end to abuses in Hong Kong prisons: www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...

"Escalating attempts to remove works featuring themes such as LGBTQ lifestyles and race relations from US bookshelves are facing growing resistance from publishers and rights groups."

This month our spotlight on Book Bans turns to the USA. Read the full story here: www.france24.com/en/live-news...

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✊ News from Vietnam, Hong Kong, Sudan and more
📣 Local Boorloo/Perth events
📤 Ways to get involved
💬 Celebrating an anthology from Sri Lanka

Read now: mailchi.mp/5c68973de941...

Police arrest poet Paata Shamugia Police have arrested Georgian poet Paata Shamugia during last night’s protest in Tbilisi. Reportedly, criminal police officers detained him near

#Georgia: We urge the immediate release of acclaimed poet and former president of PEN Georgia Paata Shamugia, who faces up to 15 days in prison for taking part in peaceful protests.

Read more ⬇️

georgiatoday.ge/police-arres...

Türkiye: PEN member Merdan Yanardağ held on espionage charges — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide ‘By arresting PEN member Merdan Yanardağ on ludicrous espionage charges and appointing a trustee to TELE 1, the authorities clearly intend to wipe out what is left of critical journalism in Türkiye. W...

#Türkiye: We urge authorities to release PEN member Merdan Yanardağ, held on ludicrous espionage charges, and to halt their pervasive assault on press freedom.

#JournalismIsNotACrime

Read our statement ⬇️

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

Day of the Imprisoned Writer: Peter Greste Grey Zone: The Debate Democracies Cannot Afford to Lose

⏳ 1 week to go.
Join us for a moving night of truth, courage and solidarity as Peter Greste shares the important issues for speaking the truth and the debate that democracies cannot afford to lose.
🎟️ events.humanitix.com/day-of-the-i...
Peter Greste’s book The Correspondent will be on sale.

What can you do to support imprisoned writers?
✊ Show up
📣 Speak out
📤 Share their stories
💬 Keep their names alive

Real solidarity saves lives.

Be part of that by joining us for this powerful event for the Day of the Imprisoned Writer. Presented by Peter Greste.

🎟️ To register, lnkd.in/gDHutim6

Spotlight: Asia

Asia Spotlight is live! 🌏

This new series from our Young Writers Committee @youngwriterspen.bsky.social features voices from Bangladesh, Singapore, Thailand, and more, exploring censorship and resilience through personal reflections.
Read the full overview ⬇️

tomorrowclub.world/spotlights/s...

The Correspondent is the gripping 2024 film based on Peter Greste’s imprisonment in Egypt – a story of power, truth and what happens when journalism is treated as a crime.
Hear Peter reflect on real stories and the urgent issues of responsible expression - for Day of the Imprisoned Writer. See bio👍