What can writers and publishers do when cultural and political divides make public debate harder? On the DAY OF THE IMPRISONED WRITER, PEN Perth has invited publisher and cultural leader Louise Adler AM for a conversation with South African–Australian author and activist Sisonke Msimang. VENUE: State Library Theatre, PerthDATE/TIME: Thursday, 12 November 2026, 6–7 pmTickets:ContinueContinue reading “Louise Adler and Sisonke Msimang – Day of the Imprisoned Writer”
Tag Archives: Freedom of Speech
Kolkata, Despair and Hope
The burning of bookstalls in Kolkata, where I grew up and which, after nearly half a century away, still feels most like home, is personal. Kolkata has a long tradition of bringing books into its festivities. During Durgotsav, the Bengalis’ biggest annual religious festival, temporary bookstalls spring up around the venues where communities gather toContinueContinue reading “Kolkata, Despair and Hope”
A grim anniversary: twenty years since Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya was murdered
Twenty years on, Anna Politkovskaya is imprinted in many people’s minds as a courageous journalist who covered the second Chechnya war (1999–2009) during the first years of the unexpected ascension to power of a “a lieutenant colonel who never managed to reach the rank of colonel” (in her words), that is Vladimir Putin. Her coverageContinueContinue reading “A grim anniversary: twenty years since Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya was murdered”
Cheng Lei to become president of PEN Melbourne
Journalist and writer Cheng Lei is set to become the next president of PEN Melbourne, bringing her lived experience of wrongful imprisonment and a powerful commitment to freedom of expression. Her extraordinary story of survival, release and rebuilding her life is featured in the recent Australian Story episode, Time After Time.
Why linguistic rights are human rights
Acting Chair’s message June 2026 Linguistic rights are human rights because language is central to identity, culture and freedom of expression. Dear members and fellow travellers Last month, on behalf of PEN Perth, I attended the online meeting of the Translation and Linguistic Rights Committee (TLRC), one of the PEN International sub-committees. The TLRC missionContinueContinue reading “Why linguistic rights are human rights”
Writers under siege: Defending freedom of expression
Acting Chair’s message May 2026 Writers under siege are facing imprisonment, censorship and exile in increasing numbers across the world. Protecting freedom of expression is at the heart of PEN’s mission. PEN International launched its International Case List 2026 on 23 April 2026. Since 1960, case lists have been updated regularly. This year’s Case ListContinueContinue reading “Writers under siege: Defending freedom of expression”
URGENT CALL TO ACTION: Letter Writing Campaign
Kyaw Min Yu (Ko Jimmy). Source: PEN International PEN International recently condemned the Myanmar military junta’s public declaration they intend to proceed with the execution of author and activist Kyaw Min Yu (also known as Ko Jimmy), who was arrested in 2021 for criticising the military coup in social media posts. Kyaw Min Yu, alongContinueContinue reading “URGENT CALL TO ACTION: Letter Writing Campaign”
Professor in Prison: The Curious Case of Hany Babu
On 28 July 2020, human rights defender Hany Babu was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Mumbai. He is now the twelfth accused arrested for his alleged involvement in the violence that broke-out at Bhima Koregan on 1 January 2018.
PEN Sydney and PEN Melbourne Call for PM to Help Julian Assange
PEN Sydney and PEN Melbourne have called for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to stand up for the rights of Australian citizen Julian Assange. Read their full letter here.
A Letter to Đoan Trang Phạm
At our recent Human Rights Day event, PEN Perth Member Frances An read a touching letter to journalist Đoan Trang Phạm. PEN Perth is proud to publish the letter here, written and translated by Frances An.
Sudan Reading
On Tuesday 23 November PEN Perth held a reading to protest the military coup which took place on 25 October in Sudan. Read the summary and two featured poems here.
Nobel Peace Prize 2021
Maria Ressa shares this year’s Nobel Peace Prize with fellow journalist, Dimitri Muratov from Russia. Ressa, notably, is the first Filipino Nobel Laureate.