Dear members/friends
It is that time of year when we all start preparing to celebrate with family and friends. However, some of us will not have that opportunity. There are writers in prison in various countries who have been imprisoned for writing about human rights in defiance of a government policy. We at PEN will be sending our best wishes to a selection of writers in prison to offer our support and let them know that we are thinking of them and working to raise awareness of their situations.
We would love it if you could send a card to one of the writers on our list. Please understand that the writers represent a variety of religious faiths or none, so it is not advised that you send cards with overtly religious symbolism, political messages, or artwork that includes nude images. Please avoid reference to Christmas or other religious festivals. You can send up to and just after new year as some will be observing Lunar New Year.
It’s nice if you can provide a return address if they wish or are allowed to respond. You can use your own address if you wish or the Centre for Stories (below).
The attached document provides some background information about the situations of the writers.
We thank you very much for your support.
Regards
PEN committee
P.S. If you are not yet a PEN member and would like to join, please see PEN Perth website. You can also sign up to our newsletter on the same page to get a monthly update of events and news.
Message to use/adapt
Dear [writer]
I am a fellow writer and PEN committee member who has learned of your imprisonment via the PEN International organisation. I wanted to let you know that I am sending you a message of goodwill and hope that this card finds you in good health and reasonable spirits. I understand your situation must be very difficult, so I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and we are working to raise the profile of your case and others. I wish you the best of luck and good health.
The return address if you wish to reply is:
Centre for Stories
100 Aberdeen Street
Northbridge WA 6003
Warm regards
[your name]
Writers in prison – addresses
| Writer | Address | Other notes |
| Alaa Abd El-Fattah | Address in Arabic if possible: Send to: Alaa Abd El-Fattah Taheel2, Wadi El-Natroun Rehabilitation Centre Kilo 110 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road Egypt | Copy to: soueifoffice@gmail.com https://egyptianconsulate.co.uk |
| Hany Babu | Hany Babu Musaliyarveettil Tharayil UT No MB490 Circle 4, Barrack 5 Taloja Central Prison Kharghar PO Navi Mumbai Maharashtra 410210 India | |
| Wai Moe Naing | Special ward (Thee Thant Saung) Monywa prison Prison department Home Affairs ministry Monywa, Saggaing Division Myanmar | |
| Pham Doan Trang | Hanoi Detention Center No. 1, Lane 702, Phuc Dien Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi city Vietnam Prison number: 4661 V1-M2 (M5) |
PEN Perth 