Stella Gaitano wins PEN English Pinter Prize for Writer of Courage 2025. #LiteraryAwards www.writingafrica.com/stella-gaita...

Leila Aboulela, winner of the #PENPinterPrize 2025, has announced writer, journalist and human rights activist, Stella Gaitano, as this year’s Writer of Courage. www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

#China: Today, Sebastien Lai addressed the UN Human Rights Council, calling for the immediate release of his father, #HongKong writer and publisher Jimmy Lai, who he fears may die in prison. See his statement here⬇️ #FreeJimmyLai www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...

'I am finding with every artefact I encounter that the call of these women is only amplified by their absence.' In #PENTransmissions, Em Dial on archives and invitations of silence. w/ @pencanada.bsky.social. pentransmissions.com/2025/09/19/m...

We're incredibly relieved that Alaa Abd el-Fattah has finally been released from prison. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported Alaa and his family over these difficult years. www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

We warmly welcome the news of British-Egyptian writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah's pardon. This is an important and positive development, and a huge relief for his family. We remain by their side and guided by them, and will share more once there is further clarity. fairsq.org/alaa-abd-el-...

#Egypt: We welcome reports that British-Egyptian writer, activist & PEN's case Alaa Abd el-Fattah has been granted a presidential pardon after 6 years unjustly imprisoned for his words. We await his release and will be monitoring the situation in the coming days. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

🎉 Congratulations! Delegates at PEN’s 91st Congress voted with overwhelming support to welcome new Centres: 🟥 PEN Languages of Russia 🟥 PEN Syria 🟥 The Low German & Frisian PEN 🟥 PEN Spain We look forward to their contributions as they bring their voices into our global network!

At the end of every Congress, PEN Centres adopt resolutions on the greatest threats to freedom of expression today. Together, these commitments reaffirm PEN’s mission. Read the resolutions from the 91st Congress in Kraków ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/pen-int...

From urgent resolutions to welcoming Nobel Laureate Olga Tokarczuk as Vice President, our 91st Congress reaffirmed literature’s power to resist repression and imagine alternatives in times of crisis. Read more about our highlights ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/freedom...

NATIONAL DEMO REFUGEES WELCOME STAND UP TO RACISM Saturday 13 September 2025 12 Noon Russell Square, London WC1B 5EH march to Whitehall

#HongKong: 72 rights groups urge the UK Prime Minister to secure the release of imprisoned writer & publisher Jimmy Lai, as his health deteriorates. #FreeJimmyLai Read more ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...

NEW: The Israeli army unit tasked with linking Gaza journalists to Hamas The 'Legitimization Cell' scoured Gaza for material to boost Israeli hasbara — including questionable claims that would justify the killing of Palestinian reporters. By Yuval Abraham www.972mag.com/israel-gaza-...

#OPT: We mourn and condemn the killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in #Gaza, including Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh — targeted for reporting on Gaza’s destruction and suffering. Our statement: www.pen-international.org/news/the-ass... @penmena.bsky.social

Brian Eno has announced Together for Palestine, a concert at London’s Wembley Arena raising funds for families in Gaza

Join us at 6.30pm, 27 Aug, in partnership with @cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social Sheffield, for an evening of readings and discussion with @yassmin.bsky.social, Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi, Salma Ali, Adil Babikir & @mayadamayadamay.bsky.social. Book now ⤵️ www.englishpen.org/posts/events...

Palestine Action co-founder wins permission to challenge ban

B'tselem, today: "[T]he unequivocal conclusion [is] that Israel is taking coordinated, deliberate action to destroy Palestinian society in the Gaza Strip. In other words: Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. www.btselem.org/publications...

HAPPENING NOW! 📣📣

British government’s Palestine Action ban is a “disturbing” abuse of counter-terrorism legislation and should be overturned, says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.

We’re delighted to announce that 14 titles from 10 publishers, 13 languages and 11 regions have won #PENTranslates awards – marking 400 books now supported through our programme. www.englishpen.org/posts/news/p...

#Belarus: Today marks four years since PEN member and Nobel Laureate Ales Bialiatski was arrested on spurious grounds. We reiterate calls for his immediate release and share his powerful message. @penbelarus.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social pentransmissions.com/2025/05/21/p...

Come with us across London’s bookshops to search for PEN Translates books in the wild! All of our PEN Translates award-winning titles are recognisable by the ‘winner English PEN award’ roundel on their front covers. Look out for it next time you’re browsing your local bookshop!

In solidarity with the people of Suwayda and everywhere else where civilians live in fear for their lives, loved ones and homes. Stop the killing. We want to build a Syria for all.

We are thrilled to announce that Leila Aboulela is the winner of the #PENPinterPrize 2025. She will receive the award at a ceremony at @britishlibrary.bsky.social on 10 October 2025, where she will deliver an address. Book now ⤵️ www.englishpen.org/posts/news/l...

PEN International condemns the arrest of veteran Palestinian journalist Musa al-Shaer. We reiterate our call to end violence against journalists and the suppression of press freedom. Media workers must never be targeted. www.middleeasteye.net/news/israeli...

#Mexico PEN International condemns the killing of journalist Melvin García, found dead in Cozumel on 7 July. He had reportedly left the city after threats linked to his book Mayra, su vida terminó, su historia comenzó, and returned only months ago. (1/2) aristeguinoticias.com/0807/mexico/...

#Türkiye: We welcome the release of journalist Mehmet Üçar from pre-trial detention after spending 225 days behind bars on bogus grounds. His next hearing has been set for 7 November. All charges against him must be dropped. bianet.org/haber/yeni-o...

#Ireland: As the Defamation (Amendment) Bill goes to the Seanad today, we join @indexoncensorship.org and partners in calling on senators to make the necessary amendments to protect freedom of expression. Read our joint statement ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/ireland...

📣 We're recruiting! English PEN is looking for a Campaigns Officer to join the team (full-time, permanent). Application deadline: 10am BST, Monday 21 July 2025 Apply & share ⤵️ www.englishpen.org/jobs/vacancy...

A culture war update with a twist. Exclusive by me and Ella Creamer. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

No book in the history of the world has made a child gay or straight or trans or cis. But they have provided hope and a future for those that already are. But of course, under Reform, all hope must be crushed. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Come work with us @englishpen.bsky.social ! We're looking for a Campaigns Officer to join the team - full time, based in our London office. Deadline for applications: 21/07. Further details and how to apply here: www.englishpen.org/jobs/vacancy...

#Türkiye: We join partners in expressing deep concern over the arrest warrant issued against journalist, poet, and Honorary PEN member Nedim Türfent. We call for the warrant to be retracted without delay. Read our joint statement ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...

As the case is heard today in the High Court, we reiterate our deep concern at the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation and the wider implications for free expression in the UK. Read our joint statement ⤵️ www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

Submissions for the #PENHeaneyPrize 2025 are now open until 31 August, for titles published between 1 July and 31 December 2025. This is the second submission window for the 2025 edition, in partnership with @irishpen.bsky.social and The Estate of Seamus Heaney. www.englishpen.org/posts/news/j...

We are deeply concerned by the Government's proposal to proscribe the protest group Palestine Action under terrorism legislation. Read our joint statement with @peninternational.bsky.social, @scottishpen.bsky.social & Wales PEN Cymru ⤵️ www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

#UK: We are deeply concerned by the government’s proposal to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation. We urge the authorities to reconsider this step and to ensure full respect for fundamental rights. Read our joint statement ⬇️ pen-international.org/news/united-...

Join us at 6.30pm, 21 July at The Conduit, London for Sudan, Power, and Free Expression, a panel of political, media, human rights and literary voices on free expression in the UK in relation to the war in Sudan. Book now ⤵️ www.englishpen.org/posts/events...

Today, poet and lyricist Galal El-Behairy is spending yet another birthday imprisoned in Egypt. Join us in sending messages of solidarity, and in continuing the call for his immediate and unconditional release. #FreeGalal #PENWrites www.englishpen.org/campaigns/pe...

If you read one thing today please make it this incredible piece of writing from Sana, a young writer in Iran writing now

‘I watched the news as I ate. I watched the news as I tried to study. I was cooking lunch – pasta – when something exploded in the distance.’ Today in #PENTransmissions, Sana – a pseudonym – writes from Iran. pentransmissions.com/2025/06/26/b...

Last week, we joined the brilliant Art Not Evidence team in parliament for their event ‘Music's Role in Miscarriages of Justice'. Find out more about the campaign and get involved. artnotevidence.org #ArtNotEvidence

Incredibly moving to see Victoria Amelina posthumously awarded the Orwell Prize for Political Writing. Victoria was killed in a Russian airstrike in Ukraine. Her words continue to have such power. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

Using terrorism legislation to ban Palestine Action sets a deeply worrying precedent for freedom of expression and the right to protest in the UK. The UK government must urgently change course. www.article19.org/resources/uk...

It is shocking that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has yet to meet with Sebastien Lai - the son of the British publisher, writer, and media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai who has now spent more than 1600 days in solitary confinement in Hong Kong, awaiting the outcome of his politically motivated show trial.

Publisher Jimmy Lai has spent more than 1600 days in solitary confinement in Hong Kong. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has yet to meet with Jimmy’s son Sebastien. We've joined 32 organisations in calling on him to arrange to meet without further delay. #FreeJimmyLai www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

Editorial from @theguardian.com on Palestine Action: "Ministers are setting a dangerous precedent by using terror laws to outlaw protest ... The cost will be felt in press freedom, political accountability and the right to resist" www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

🚨BREAKING: We’re deeply concerned at the use of counter terrorism powers to target protest groups. This is the latest in a succession of measures taken by the UK government to clamp down on protest in the UK.