Author Archives: penperth

With the growing political polarisation, conservative leaders have taken a close and biased policing of book titles about race, gender and sexuality. Amanda Gorman wrote a poem for Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021 named The Hill We climb. This year, the poem has been placed on a restricted list Bob Graham Education Center in MiamiContinueContinue reading “JUNE Newsletter”

Looking back at World Press Freedom Day World Press Freedom Day Celebrated every 3rd of May, this year’s theme for the Day was “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights” (working title), signifying the enabling element of freedom of expression to enjoy and protect all otherContinueContinue reading “MAY 2023 Newsletter”

Afghanistan: Arrest of girls’ education activist latest example of Taliban repression PEN International is deeply concerned over reports regarding last week’s arrest of educator and prominent advocate for girls’ education, Matiullah Wesa, and calls for his immediate and unconditional release. Matiullah’s detention is just the latest example of the Taliban’s intolerance towards anyone who challengesContinueContinue reading “APRIL 2023 Newsletter”

Dear PEN Perth Members and Friends, PEN Perth has been following ‘curious case of Hany Babu’ over the last couple of years. Globally, PEN International has advocated strongly for this former Delhi University Linguist. Some of you were able to join us for the video conference with Dr Babu’s wife Dr Jenny Rowena at our lastContinueContinue reading “MARCH 2023 newsletter”

International Mother Language Day 2023 Held every year on 21 February, International Mother Language Day is observed to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, and multilingualism. To mark this anniversary, PEN International features the case of Belarusian writer, human rights defender, Nobel Peace Prize winner and PEN Belarus member Ales Bialiatski, detained since 2021 and currently on trial.ContinueContinue reading “FEB 2023 – Mother Language Day”

Dear Members and Fellow Travellers,  It was a pleasure to see some of you at the seminar with Peter Greste, on Human Rights Day 10 December 2022. Peter Greste is an award-winning journalist and author, who, along with his colleagues from Al Jazeera, was imprisoned by Egyptian authorities in 2013-15.  He started his talk byContinueContinue reading “JAN 2023 newsletter”

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 willContinueContinue reading “Season’s greeting list”

Dear Members, Friends and Fellow Travellers, It was wonderful to see so many of you at our event on 10 November. Thank you for joining the conversation with Srijato, a critically acclaimed and highly popular Bengali poet and Perth-based poet Robert Wood. We managed to get through a wide range of topics: from translation toContinueContinue reading “NOVEMBER newsletter”

Contents -Chair’s message-Urgent adoptee update — Pham Doan Trang (Vietnam)-Happenings-Upcoming events-Recommended articles and media Chair’s message (Krishna Sen) Members and Fellow-travellers, it was wonderful to see those of you attended our AGM last month and stayed on for the discussion with Dr Jenny Rowena about the increasing challenges to freedom of expression in India underContinueContinue reading “OCTOBER newsletter”

Contents – Annual General Meeting- Thank you to vacating PEN Perth committee members- Happenings- Upcoming event Annual General Meeting (AGM) On 15SEPT2022, we held our AGM at the Centre For Stories. It was wonderful to see our members gathered to hear about the importance of PEN’s work in advocating for detained writers. We also finalisedContinueContinue reading “SEPTEMBER News – AGM summary and local activities”

Contents Annual General Meeting (AGM)Upcoming eventNewsflash – support for Salman RushdieAchievements and other happenings Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2022 Date: 5:30PM, 15/SEPT/2022 Address: Centre for Stories (100 Aberdeen St, Northbridge, 6003) All members and prospective members are welcome but only members can vote. The agenda for the AGM is as follows: 1.  Attendance, proxies andContinueContinue reading “AUGUST Newsletter – Annual General meeting alert”

Contents Opening statement on the Hong Kong National Security Law Breaking news: Executions in Myanmar Writers and articles in focus Activities completed and achievements Upcoming activities Letter-writing campaign Opening statement – 2 years into the Hong Kong National Security Law When Britain handed Hong Kong to China in 1997, the expectation was that Beijing wouldContinueContinue reading “JULY newsletter: Asia-focused issue”