Ross Holder
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Ross Holder
@h0ro.bsky.social
130 followers 200 following 20 posts
Head of Research, Policy and Advocacy at PEN International | Views own
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Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
#Argentina: PEN International raises alarm over escalating attacks on freedom of expression, including legal harassment of journalists and the misuse of state power to silence dissent.

Read our full statement ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/argenti...
Argentina: Alarm over government’s ongoing efforts to undermine freedom of expression  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
“ When a government turns criticism into an enemy and journalism into a target, it does not only attack those who inform; it deliberately weakens the fundamental rights of society as a whole. ” Burhan...
www.pen-international.org
January 21, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
"Even though a settlement has now been reached, the case illustrates how legal systems can be weaponised to intimidate journalists beyond national borders," — Michael Altman Rosen-Lupu, Head of Asia-Pacific at PEN International

Read this article from ABC Australia ⬇️

www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Australian retiree's detention in Thailand a warning, lawyer says
Rights groups slam Thai authorities' detention and legal proceedings against Australian writer Murray Hunter, after Malaysia's communications regulator submitted a criminal defamation complaint.
www.abc.net.au
January 22, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
🚨 #Malaysia #Thailand: We welcome the recent settlement for Australian writer Murray Hunter, but his case remains a stark example of a transnational SLAPP involving civil defamation in Malaysia and criminal defamation in Thailand.

Read more ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/malaysi...
Malaysia-Thailand: Australian writer Murray Hunter targeted in act of transnational repression — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
‘ As the current ASEAN Chair, the Malaysian government has a responsibility to demonstrate its commitment to human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, across the region. Instead, it ...
www.pen-international.org
January 19, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
#Iran: We are deeply concerned by the deadly crackdown on protests amid internet blackouts and unlawful force. We call for an end to these violations and for the rights to peaceful assembly and free expression to be respected.

Read our full statement ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/iran-au...
Iran: Authorities must end brutal crackdown on protests and internet shutdowns   — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
“We are horrified to see such a deadly response to people’s legitimate demands for better economic conditions. Iranian authorities have systematically stifled and repressed dissent over the years. We ...
www.pen-international.org
January 17, 2026 at 4:48 AM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
#Philippines: We welcome the acquittal of writer and activist Amanda Echanis after five years of unjust detention. Her persecution reflects the dangers of red-tagging and politically motivated charges. Our statement: www.pen-international.org/news/philipp...
January 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
The U.S. withdrawal from international cultural bodies is dangerous. At a time of rising censorship, these organisations defend freedom of expression. Abdicating commitments undermines global norms and aids those who silence critical voices. news.artnet.com/art-world/us...
U.S. Withdrawal From International Cultural Organizations Sparks Alarm
Trump's sweeping decision to withdraw from a host of international cultural organizations has sparked alarm at arts advocacy groups.
news.artnet.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Reposted by Ross Holder
tomgrundy.hongkongfp.com
For 2025 there were some 178,725 asylum seekers from China, per the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees (@Refugees). Chart: Safeguard Defenders.
January 8, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
In this recent interview with Global Voices (@globalvoices.org), Ege Dündar (@ege-dundar.bsky.social) reflects on the work of the Young Writers Committee (@youngwriterspen.bsky.social) and the increasing importance of supporting emerging voices.
Read more ⬇️

globalvoices.org/2025/12/26/t...
The Tomorrow Club aims to support and mentor young writers amid polarity and tech-driven chaos
“The youth should never believe that history is written only by the victors, or that it can be permanently manipulated through narrative wars.”
globalvoices.org
December 27, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Reposted by Ross Holder
englishpen.bsky.social
Together with @peninternational.bsky.social, we condemn the guilty verdict against Jimmy Lai & urge the UK government to act immediately and decisively on his behalf.

Read our statement & send a message of solidarity to Jimmy Lai through #PENWrites. #FreeJimmyLai
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...
Jimmy Lai found guilty in long-running national security trial - News & Events - English PEN
www.englishpen.org
December 15, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
#HongKong: Yesterday, we have joined @englishpen.bsky.social, @hongkongwatch.bsky.social & over 30 other civil society organisations in an open letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging him press for Jimmy Lai's release.

Read the letter below ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
China - Hong Kong: Civil society organisations urge UK PM to stand up for Jimmy Lai — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
15 December 2025: Following today’s unjust guilty verdict handed down to writer and media publisher Jimmy Lai, PEN International and English PEN have joined Hong Kong Watch and over 30 other civ...
www.pen-international.org
December 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
penamerica.bsky.social
We condemn the conviction of Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai. He now faces possible life in prison.

The international community, including the US, must stand up for independent media and continue pressing for Lai’s release.

#FreeJimmyLai bsky.app/profile/peni...
December 15, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
#HongKong: Together with @englishpen.bsky.social, we condemn the conviction of writer and media publisher #JimmyLai. We continue to stand with him and urge the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally. www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
China - Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai found guilty in long-running national security trial — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
“ The guilty verdict handed down to writer and media publisher Jimmy Lai is nothing less than a travesty and a betrayal of Hong Kong’s once vaunted legal system. Jimmy Lai’s selfless commitment to Hon...
www.pen-international.org
December 15, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
#HongKong: With Jimmy Lai's national security trial verdict now expected on Monday, we again urge the authorities to end this injustice by dropping all charges against him and to release him immediately. Read our latest statement 🔽
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
China - Hong Kong: Verdict of Jimmy Lai’s trial expected to be issued on Monday — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
“ In advance of the verdict expected to be handed down on Monday, we call on the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities once again to end this injustice by dropping all charges against writer and media pub...
www.pen-international.org
December 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
#Vietnam: Ahead of the 4th anniversary of writer Pham Doan Trang's unjust sentencing, we join @rsf.org @amnesty.org @penamerica.bsky.social @pressfreedom.bsky.social & others in calling on the international community to secure her release #FreePhamDoanTrang www.pen-international.org/news/vietnam...
Vietnam: Four years after Pham Doan Trang’s sentencing, the international coalition is once again urging her release — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldw...
12 December 2025 – Ahead of the fourth anniversary of the sentencing of prominent Vietnamese journalist, writer, and woman human rights defender Pham Doan Trang, an international coalition of non-gove...
www.pen-international.org
December 12, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
On #HumanRightsDay, PEN International launches its first global #LiteraryAuction — featuring rare contributions from leading writers, with all proceeds supporting freedom of expression worldwide.

Explore the auction: www.pen-international.org/news/literar...
December 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
#India: We welcome the imminent release of academic Hany Babu following the approval of his bail application. Detained without trial for over 5 years, this ruling recognises the grave injustice he has faced.

Learn more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/india-a...
India: Academic Hany Babu’s bail hearing to take place after five years in jail without trial — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
Update (4 December 2025) : The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Hany Babu, following his application on the basis of his prolonged detention without trial. Following the completion of formalitie...
www.pen-international.org
December 4, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Reposted by Ross Holder
reaproy.bsky.social
DHS decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Burmese nationals in the US is “the worst of the worst foreign policy ever seen from the Trump administration in Southeast Asia”, & will mean that deported Myanmar nationals face “prisons, brutal torture and death.” www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmar...
November 28, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
#Australia #Thailand #Malaysia: We join PEN Centres in condemning Malaysia’s attempt to silence writer Murray Hunter through transnational criminal defamation, and urge Foreign Minister Penny Wong to intervene.

Read our joint letter ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/austral...
Australia–Malaysia–Thailand: PEN Centres urge action as writer Murray Hunter faces transnational repression — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
27 November 2025: PEN International, PEN Melbourne, PEN Perth and PEN Sydney called on Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong to urgently intervene in the case of writer Murray Hunter. In a jo...
www.pen-international.org
November 27, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
WRITE A MESSAGE OF HOPE: Today, show solidarity with Uyghur writer #YalqunRozi, imprisoned in Xinjiang since 2016 for his cultural and literary work. Write to him, every message helps writers know they’re not forgotten. www.pen-international.org/yalqun-rozi-... #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
November 26, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
#India: We join partner PEN Centres and free-press groups urging the Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner to urgently probe death threats against journalist Rana Ayyub and her father.

Read our joint letter ⬇️

www.pen-international.org/news/pen-int...
India: PEN International joins call for a police investigation into death threats against journalist and writer, Rana Ayyub — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression...
24 November : Last week, PEN International joined PEN Centres and free press organisations in sending an open letter to Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe, calling for an urgent police i...
www.pen-international.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
TAKE ACTION: His words kept Uyghur culture alive — now he’s silenced for them. Stand with #YalqunRozi this #DayoftheImprisonedWriter. Sign our petition to set him free:
Yalqun Rozi — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
24 HOURS LEFT TO JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN!
www.pen-international.org
November 23, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
To mark the #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, journalist Cheng Lei shared her own story of unjust imprisonment, reflecting on the courage of advocates who helped secure her release.

Watch her full testimony on our Instagram and take action today to support imprisoned writers 👉
PEN International on Instagram: "To mark the #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, journalist Cheng Lei shared her powerful story of unjust imprisonment, reflecting on the world’s growing neglect of truth and th...
2 likes, 0 comments - peninternational on November 21, 2025: "To mark the #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, journalist Cheng Lei shared her powerful story of unjust imprisonment, reflecting on the world’s gr...
www.instagram.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
#Thailand: We join PEN #Malaysia in expressing our alarm over the Malaysian government's targeting of Murray Hunter in an act of transnational repression. We call for the complaints against him to be withdrawn immediately.

Read our joint statement 🔽 www.pen-international.org/news/malaysi...
Malaysia-Thailand: Australian writer Murray Hunter targeted in act of transnational repression — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
‘ As the current ASEAN Chair, the Malaysian government has a responsibility to demonstrate its commitment to human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, across the region. Instead, it ...
www.pen-international.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Reposted by Ross Holder
peninternational.bsky.social
Last week, we partnered with the Independent Chinese PEN Centre for a conference on the brutal realities of Chinese imprisonment and the impact of global conflict on free expression. During its award ceremony, the ICPC also honoured the courage of Zhang Haitao, Ding Jiaxi, and Gao Yu.
November 20, 2025 at 3:58 PM