Writers in Prison program
The PEN Perth Writers in Prison program supports imprisoned and at-risk writers across the Asia-Pacific region. Through advocacy, public awareness and campaigning, we highlight writers whose freedom of expression has been denied and call for justice. The six writers below are currently the focus of our advocacy, helping amplify their voices and stories and protect their human rights.
Featured writers
Wai Moe Naing (Myanmar)
Wai Moe Naing is a writer, activist and member of PEN Myanmar whose literary career began at age 13. Arrested in April 2021, he has since been sentenced to a total of 74 years in prison. On 12 June 2025, he was transferred to Obo Prison in Mandalay, where he was reportedly beaten on arrival, placed in solitary confinement, and denied medical care, underscoring the severe repression and harsh conditions faced by political prisoners under Myanmar’s military regime. Find more information.
Yang Hengjun (China)
As of early 2026, Australian writer and pro-democracy blogger Yang Hengjun remains imprisoned in China, having served seven years in detention following his 2019 arrest on espionage charges. Despite receiving a suspended death sentence in February 2024, he continues to advocate for democratic values from prison while battling declining health. 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. Despite international recognition and sustained advocacy, Trang remains imprisoned, emblematic of Vietnam’s ongoing crackdown on free expression. Find more information.
Frenchie Mae Cumpio (Philippines)
Frenchie Mae Cumpio is a Filipino journalist and community broadcaster based in Tacloban City. She is the executive director of alternative media outlet Eastern Vista and a reporter for Radio DYVL, focusing on human rights, disaster response and issues affecting marginalised communities. In 2020, she was arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives — accusations widely criticised by press freedom organisations as politically motivated. She has remained in detention since, becoming a prominent symbol of the risks faced by journalists in the Philippines. 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.
Nguyen Vu Binh (Vietnam)
Independent Vietnamese journalist and blogger Nguyen Vu Binh was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment by a court in Hanoi on 10 September 2024, on charges of “distributing anti-state propaganda” under Article 117 of Vietnam’s Penal Code. Authorities accused him of participating in and commenting on videos discussing political, economic and social issues, but Binh and his lawyers said he was merely exercising freedom of expression. Find more information.
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.