International PEN Day of the Imprisoned Writer

 15 November 2008

 

Advance Notice

 

 

20 August 2008

 

 

This year, PEN members world-wide will be marking International PEN’s Day of the Imprisoned Writer on 15 November by celebrating the courage of five writers and journalists who have suffered reprisals for having written on issues that challenge those in power, standing up for the rights of others, or suffered other miscarriages of justice. 

 

The suggested cases of focus this year will be:

 

Ø      Azerbaijan: Eynulla Fatullayev – journalist serving eight and a half years in prison for his reporting.

Ø      China/Tibet: Tsering Woeser -  an award winning Tibetan poet under house arrest in Beijing.

Ø      Iran: Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand- a Kurdish journalist serving an 11-year sentence for his Kurdish rights activism.

Ø      Peru: Melissa Patiño– young poet imprisoned for 70-days on unsubstantiated terrorism charges, and currently on trial

Ø      Zimbabwe:  Raisedon Baya - author of the play “The Crocodile of Zambezi”, whose cast and crew was attacked and his play banned.

 

Full backgrounds on these cases, including writings and photographs where available, and recommendations for actions, will follow in mid-September so as to enable the information provided to be as up to date as possible. If you would like more on any of these cases beforehand, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Often Centres prefer to focus on other cases than those suggested, such as those they have elected as Honorary Members. If more information or advice is needed on such cases, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Also to be made available for 15 November will be:

 

Ø      A list of writers and journalists murdered since 15 November 2007

Ø      The “Poem Relay” translations of the poem by Chinese detained journalist, Shi Tao in book form

 

If you have any comments or ideas for 15 November events or have questions, please contact:

 

Sara Whyatt

Programme Director

Writers in Prison Committee

International PEN

Brownlow House

50/51 High Holborn

London WC1V 6ER

UK

Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7405 0338

Fax: + ff (0) 20 7405 0339

Email: sara.whyatt@internationalpen.org.uk

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