Since the 1979 Revolution, book banning in Iran has been a constant. Religious, political and moral grounds against foreign and local authors were at their most severe for the twenty years preceding the Reform period (1997–2005).[1] Some relaxation of the rules occurred then, but President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005–2013) engineered a backlash against Western literature. InContinueContinue reading “History of banned books in Iran”
Author Archives: penperth
Chair’s message February 2026
Dear members and fellow travellers Welcome to 2026. We began the year with a letter from a writer recently released from prison. We are not able to share their name, but we can share their words: “Let me start by thanking PEN International … and all the writers and artists who united in solidarity forContinueContinue reading “Chair’s message February 2026”
Boualem Sansal: A victory for freedom of expression… and a reward
Eighty-year-old Franco-Algerian writer and journalist Boualem Sansal was arrested in November 2024 by Algerian authorities on trumped-up charges of ‘undermining national unity’ and ‘attacking state institutions’ after suggesting in an interview with the extreme-right wing media Frontières, France had unfairly transferred Moroccan territory to Algeria during the colonial era.[1] This territorial issue has soured French–AlgerianContinueContinue reading “Boualem Sansal: A victory for freedom of expression… and a reward”
Charges dropped against Murray Hunter
After months of legal uncertainty, the criminal defamation charges against Australian writer and commentator Murray Hunter have been formally withdrawn by a Bangkok court, with the matter resolved without penalty or costs. Hunter described the experience as “personally very traumatic” but said he is relieved to have his passport returned and to regain the freedomContinueContinue reading “Charges dropped against Murray Hunter”
Adelaide Writers’ Week media statement
PEN Centres have published their media statement highlighting concerns about the decision to remove Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from Adelaide Writers’ Week. Adelaide writers_festival cancelled PEN Perth patron, Peter Greste also shared his letter to the Adelaide Festival, alongside a recent Guardian article in which he again defends the importance of the ‘grey zone’ – theContinueContinue reading “Adelaide Writers’ Week media statement”
Murray Hunter faces criminal charges
Australian writer and academic, Murray Hunter, is facing criminal charges in Thailand for articles he published online criticising Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Malaysia is the current Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and is obligated under the ASEAN Charter to uphold human rights and freedoms, democracy, rule of law andContinueContinue reading “Murray Hunter faces criminal charges”
Hany Babu released on Bail
After more than five hard years behind bars – arrested in July 2020 under the controversial Bhima Koregaon / Elgar Parishad case – Dr Hany Babu has been granted bail by the Bombay High Court. This wasn’t some quick detour behind bars – the bail was granted on the grounds of prolonged pre-trial detention, aContinueContinue reading “Hany Babu released on Bail”
Jimmy Lai found guilty
On 15 December 2025, writer and media publisher Jimmy Lai was found guilty on two counts of conspiring to collude with foreign forces under Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law (NSL), and a third count of seditious publications under the territory’s colonial-era sedition law. Lai, who recently turned 78, now faces spending the remainder of his life behind bars,ContinueContinue reading “Jimmy Lai found guilty”
Suspended death sentence for Yang Hengjun
Writer Yang Hengjun’s health deteriorates as China’s decision on his suspended death sentence looms. See more. See the letter (and download below) PEN Perth and other PEN organisations have sent to Senator Penny Wong. Feel free to use this letter and send on your own behalf to help raise awareness. PEN_LTR_SenWong_Yang
AGM and Reading Secular India
Annual General Meeting 2024 Date: Sat, 27 Jul 2024 Time: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM AWSTLocation: Centre for Stories (100 Aberdeen Street Northbridge, WA 6003) Welcome to the PEN Perth Annual General Meeting 2024! Join us at the Centre for Stories for a meeting to discuss achievements over the last year, updates on our incarcerated adoptees, and aContinueContinue reading “AGM and Reading Secular India”
JUNE Newsletter: AGM, Assange, Ma Thida
Key news Julian Assange freed Since founding WikiLeaks 18 years ago, Julian Assange has endured legal wranglings, arrest warrants, political asylum, incarceration and the threat of extradition to the US. He walked free and returned to Australia on 26 June. Here are some links to analyses of the case: The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/julian-assange-is-free-but-curly-legal-questions-about-his-case-remain-233339 The Spectator (UK):ContinueContinue reading “JUNE Newsletter: AGM, Assange, Ma Thida”
Ma Thida – June events
Ma Thida is a medical doctor, writer and human rights activist. She believes in freedom of expression. In 1993, she was sentenced to 20 years in prison for “endangering public peace, having contact with illegal organisations, and distributing unlawful literature.” She was released in 1999 and was awarded the Reebok Human Rights Award, the PEN/BarbaraContinueContinue reading “Ma Thida – June events”
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