PEN Perth has adopted these six imprisoned and at risk writers as the focus of our advocacy, raising awareness of their cases and calling for justice. While we recognise that many others face similar injustices, we have chosen to highlight these individuals to amplify their voices and stories.
Hany Babu (India)
Hany Babu is a 54-year-old linguistics scholar and social activist. Arrested on 28 July 2020 and currently in pre-trial detention. The Bombay High Court has reserved its decision on the bail plea filed by former Delhi University professor Hany Babu in the Elgar Parishad–Bhima Koregaon case. A division bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Ranjitsinha Bhonsale heard arguments and stated that they “may take some time to pronounce the order”.
Babu was granted bail in December 2025. Find more information.
Jimmy Lai (Hong Kong / China)
Jimmy Lai (photo by PEN International) was initially detained in August 2020 and has been continuously imprisoned since December 2020 in connection to his journalism and activism. He currently faces a potential life sentence if convicted of violating the National Security Law. Find more information.
Pham Doan Trang (Vietnam)
Writer, publisher, journalist and pro-democracy activist. Arrested in October 2020 and currently serving a nine-year prison sentence. Find more information.
Ma Thida (Myanmar)
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/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, Freedom of Speech Award and Disturbing the Peace; Courageous Writer at Risk Award. Find more information.
Narges Mohammadi (Iran)
Writer, Noble Peace prize winner, journalist, human rights defender, and Honorary Member of the Danish, Belgian, Norwegian and Swedish PEN Centres, Narges Mohammadi was sentenced to a total of 10 years imprisonment, 150 lashes, and a 12 million Iranian Rial fine. Her family believes that her arrest and imprisonment came in retaliation for her book White Torture, in which 14 women share their experiences of imprisonment in Iran. Find recent updates on her case.
Amanda Echanis (Philippines)
Amanda Echanis has been detained since she her arrest on 2 December 2020 on a charge that is frequently used to detain writers, journalists and activists who criticise the government. Sign the petition to Free Amanda Echanis Now.
Greetings for writers in prison
The writers in the list above have been imprisoned for writing about human rights in defiance of a government policy. Knowing that someone is thinking of them and working to raise awareness of their unlawful incarceration, gives them hope in a desperate situation. We encourage you to get in touch by sending a card to one of these writers. Please know 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 explicit images, including nudity. A card depicting your hometown or country is often appreciated by recipients. Please avoid reference to Christmas or other religious festivals. You can send your greetings any time through January as some will be observing Lunar New Year which in 2024 falls in early February, or anytime throughout the 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 address noted below. Please print out names and addresses where provided and stick on the envelopes as this will enhance the likelihood of letters reaching their destination. Be careful to address the letters correctly.
If we get a reply from the prisoner, we will copy to: Aurelia Dondo, PEN International: aurelia.dondo@pen.international.org – for collating responses.
We thank you very much for your support. Find more information and addresses.
penperth.com 