Scottish PEN
@scottishpen.bsky.social
Scottish centre of @pen_int. Committed to promoting literature and defending freedom of expression. RTs ≠ endorsement. Join: http://bit.ly/201zvHC
Pinned
Scottish PEN
@scottishpen.bsky.social
· Nov 26
Scottish PEN’s annual Naomi Mitchison Lecture for 2025, “The Menace of Hope at the Back of Life: Practical Philosophies of Protest, Permaculture, and the Pen” – will be delivered by Professor Alison Phipps at the University of Glasgow on 11 December.
Scottish PEN has always opposed the proscription of #PalestineAction and welcomes the attempt by Craig Murray to overturn this ban in Scotland.
A legal bid to overturn the Palestine Action proscription through the Scottish courts has passed a major milestone 👇
Major legal win in bid to overturn Palestine Action ban
www.thenational.scot
January 27, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Scottish PEN has always opposed the proscription of #PalestineAction and welcomes the attempt by Craig Murray to overturn this ban in Scotland.
Writer, activist and Vice-President of Scottish PEN, Lizzie Eldridge, appeared on the Palestine International Broadcast again, last week.
Lizzie writes, “Every time I meet the presenter, Osama, my heart breaks for his strength, dignity, brilliance and humanity.”
youtu.be/AdcwT6BpJuo?...
Lizzie writes, “Every time I meet the presenter, Osama, my heart breaks for his strength, dignity, brilliance and humanity.”
youtu.be/AdcwT6BpJuo?...
Lizzie Eldridge | Vice-president of Scottish Pen
YouTube video by Palestine Broadcast International
youtu.be
January 22, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Writer, activist and Vice-President of Scottish PEN, Lizzie Eldridge, appeared on the Palestine International Broadcast again, last week.
Lizzie writes, “Every time I meet the presenter, Osama, my heart breaks for his strength, dignity, brilliance and humanity.”
youtu.be/AdcwT6BpJuo?...
Lizzie writes, “Every time I meet the presenter, Osama, my heart breaks for his strength, dignity, brilliance and humanity.”
youtu.be/AdcwT6BpJuo?...
As an organisation pledged to oppose suppression of freedom of expression, Scottish PEN is also committed to advocating for personal privacy.
Therefore, we will not be providing details required for age verification on this site at this time, not least due to the nature of the data requested. 1/2
Therefore, we will not be providing details required for age verification on this site at this time, not least due to the nature of the data requested. 1/2
January 22, 2026 at 12:23 PM
As an organisation pledged to oppose suppression of freedom of expression, Scottish PEN is also committed to advocating for personal privacy.
Therefore, we will not be providing details required for age verification on this site at this time, not least due to the nature of the data requested. 1/2
Therefore, we will not be providing details required for age verification on this site at this time, not least due to the nature of the data requested. 1/2
Reposted by Scottish PEN
At the raw end of winter
the mountain is half snow, half
dun grass. Only when snow
moves does it become a hare…
—Anna Crowe, “A Calendar of Hares”
published in A SECRET HISTORY OF RHUBARB (Mariscat, 2004)
#poem #poetry
annacrowepoet.com/2021/04/21/a...
the mountain is half snow, half
dun grass. Only when snow
moves does it become a hare…
—Anna Crowe, “A Calendar of Hares”
published in A SECRET HISTORY OF RHUBARB (Mariscat, 2004)
#poem #poetry
annacrowepoet.com/2021/04/21/a...
January 16, 2026 at 2:22 PM
At the raw end of winter
the mountain is half snow, half
dun grass. Only when snow
moves does it become a hare…
—Anna Crowe, “A Calendar of Hares”
published in A SECRET HISTORY OF RHUBARB (Mariscat, 2004)
#poem #poetry
annacrowepoet.com/2021/04/21/a...
the mountain is half snow, half
dun grass. Only when snow
moves does it become a hare…
—Anna Crowe, “A Calendar of Hares”
published in A SECRET HISTORY OF RHUBARB (Mariscat, 2004)
#poem #poetry
annacrowepoet.com/2021/04/21/a...
99 months ago today #DaphneCaruanaGalizia was assassinated in #Malta. The person who ordered and organised her brutal murder & put it into action has still not been convicted.
Scottish PEN continues to fight for #JusticeForDaphne and always will until justice is done.
@peninternational.bsky.social
Scottish PEN continues to fight for #JusticeForDaphne and always will until justice is done.
@peninternational.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 1:13 PM
99 months ago today #DaphneCaruanaGalizia was assassinated in #Malta. The person who ordered and organised her brutal murder & put it into action has still not been convicted.
Scottish PEN continues to fight for #JusticeForDaphne and always will until justice is done.
@peninternational.bsky.social
Scottish PEN continues to fight for #JusticeForDaphne and always will until justice is done.
@peninternational.bsky.social
Reposted by Scottish PEN
The ability to generate sexually explicit, non-consensual images using AI isn't just a matter of online safety - it strikes at the core of the right to dignity, privacy & equality. These technologies are fuelling misogyny & harassment when young people are already overwhelmed by women-hating content
January 13, 2026 at 4:35 PM
The ability to generate sexually explicit, non-consensual images using AI isn't just a matter of online safety - it strikes at the core of the right to dignity, privacy & equality. These technologies are fuelling misogyny & harassment when young people are already overwhelmed by women-hating content
Reposted by Scottish PEN
The Grok bot exemplifies this danger, making it alarmingly easy to produce abusive material, while X’s weakened safeguards since Elon Musk’s takeover in late 2022 have left users exposed.
January 13, 2026 at 4:38 PM
The Grok bot exemplifies this danger, making it alarmingly easy to produce abusive material, while X’s weakened safeguards since Elon Musk’s takeover in late 2022 have left users exposed.
Reposted by Scottish PEN
We welcome the Government’s commitment to act swiftly to stop the creation and sharing of these exploitative images by AI bots.
Protecting human rights online must be a priority.
Protecting human rights online must be a priority.
January 13, 2026 at 4:38 PM
We welcome the Government’s commitment to act swiftly to stop the creation and sharing of these exploitative images by AI bots.
Protecting human rights online must be a priority.
Protecting human rights online must be a priority.
Reposted by Scottish PEN
#USA: RSF joins a coalition of 20+ organizations in calling on Congress to rescind the subpoena for investigative journalist Seth Harp. Harp's social media post on the US military operation in #Venezuela didn't reveal any classified information and his actions were protected by the First Amendment.
Press Freedom Groups Demand Congress Rescind Subpoena of Investigative Journalist
Defending Rights & Dissent led more than 20 other leading press freedom and First Amendment groups, including the ACLU, PEN America, the National Writers Union, Reporters without Borders, the E…
www.rightsanddissent.org
January 13, 2026 at 4:58 PM
#USA: RSF joins a coalition of 20+ organizations in calling on Congress to rescind the subpoena for investigative journalist Seth Harp. Harp's social media post on the US military operation in #Venezuela didn't reveal any classified information and his actions were protected by the First Amendment.
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Plans to limit jury trials in England and Wales may be watered down after backlash
www.theguardian.com/law/2026/jan...
www.theguardian.com/law/2026/jan...
Plans to limit jury trials in England and Wales may be watered down after backlash
Exclusive: David Lammy’s proposals could be altered to avoid fight in Lords after criticism from MPs, peers and lawyers
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Plans to limit jury trials in England and Wales may be watered down after backlash
www.theguardian.com/law/2026/jan...
www.theguardian.com/law/2026/jan...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
#Iran: 26-year-old protester #ErfanSoltani reportedly faces execution tomorrow, without formal charges or a lawyer. The authorities in #Iran continue to brutally crackdown on protestors. We must all raise our voice for Soltani and call for the sentence to be overturned.
January 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM
#Iran: 26-year-old protester #ErfanSoltani reportedly faces execution tomorrow, without formal charges or a lawyer. The authorities in #Iran continue to brutally crackdown on protestors. We must all raise our voice for Soltani and call for the sentence to be overturned.
Reposted by Scottish PEN
#UK 🇬🇧 @hrw.org has just launched a new report, 'Silencing the Streets’, which takes a detailed look at the draconian restrictions imposed by successive governments on the right to protest.
🔗 buff.ly/VpDQ4Px
🔗 buff.ly/VpDQ4Px
January 13, 2026 at 5:03 PM
#UK 🇬🇧 @hrw.org has just launched a new report, 'Silencing the Streets’, which takes a detailed look at the draconian restrictions imposed by successive governments on the right to protest.
🔗 buff.ly/VpDQ4Px
🔗 buff.ly/VpDQ4Px
Reposted by Scottish PEN
🚨A majority of voters, including a majority of independents, do not agree with the Trump administration or with ICE that the ICE officer in Minneapolis was justified in shooting and killing Renee Good.
Exclusive Zeteo/Data for Progress poll: zeteo.com/p/ice-renee-...
Exclusive Zeteo/Data for Progress poll: zeteo.com/p/ice-renee-...
January 13, 2026 at 5:04 PM
🚨A majority of voters, including a majority of independents, do not agree with the Trump administration or with ICE that the ICE officer in Minneapolis was justified in shooting and killing Renee Good.
Exclusive Zeteo/Data for Progress poll: zeteo.com/p/ice-renee-...
Exclusive Zeteo/Data for Progress poll: zeteo.com/p/ice-renee-...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
For centuries, people facing injustice have gone on hunger strike, putting their lives at risk to draw attention to their case, this is no different.
Tell the government to take action now👇
https://goodlaw.social/3e3320
Tell the government to take action now👇
https://goodlaw.social/3e3320
January 13, 2026 at 5:07 PM
For centuries, people facing injustice have gone on hunger strike, putting their lives at risk to draw attention to their case, this is no different.
Tell the government to take action now👇
https://goodlaw.social/3e3320
Tell the government to take action now👇
https://goodlaw.social/3e3320
Scottish PEN gives its full support to @craigmurrayorg.bsky.social in his bid to launch a judicial review of the proscription of #PalestineAction in Scotland.
We renew our ongoing support for pro-Palestine activists imprisoned, arrested & criminalised by repressive & absurd 'laws'.
We renew our ongoing support for pro-Palestine activists imprisoned, arrested & criminalised by repressive & absurd 'laws'.
A hearing at the Court of Session in Edinburgh today, deciding whether a judicial review of the decision to proscribe Palestine Action can be pursued under Scots law is underway
You can get updates from the court from our live blog
You can get updates from the court from our live blog
Live updates as court hears bid to end Palestine Action ban in Scotland
www.thenational.scot
January 12, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Scottish PEN gives its full support to @craigmurrayorg.bsky.social in his bid to launch a judicial review of the proscription of #PalestineAction in Scotland.
We renew our ongoing support for pro-Palestine activists imprisoned, arrested & criminalised by repressive & absurd 'laws'.
We renew our ongoing support for pro-Palestine activists imprisoned, arrested & criminalised by repressive & absurd 'laws'.
Reposted by Scottish PEN
#Türkiye: The hearing of @pensweden.bsky.social member Joakim Medin has been postponed to 7 May 2026. We reiterate calls for an end to his judicial harassment and for bogus terror-related charges to be dropped at once.
Read more on the case ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...
Read more on the case ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...
Türkiye: PEN member Joakim Medin to be tried in absentia — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
Update 8 January 2026: Joakim Medin’s hearing has been postponed to 7 May 2026. He continues to face years in prison on preposterous terrorism grounds. PEN International, PEN Sweden and PEN Norway c...
www.pen-international.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:57 PM
#Türkiye: The hearing of @pensweden.bsky.social member Joakim Medin has been postponed to 7 May 2026. We reiterate calls for an end to his judicial harassment and for bogus terror-related charges to be dropped at once.
Read more on the case ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...
Read more on the case ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Nobel Peace Prize laureate #NargesMohammadi with other women human rights defenders has been REARRESTED.
@peninternational.bsky.social calls for their immediate and unconditional release & access to medical care! pen.org/press-releas...
www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/statement...
@peninternational.bsky.social calls for their immediate and unconditional release & access to medical care! pen.org/press-releas...
www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/statement...
Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi arrested in Iran, alongside other human rights defenders and journalists, one year after her temporary liberation
After months of threats, Iranian authorities have re-arrested writer, journalist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
pen.org
December 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Nobel Peace Prize laureate #NargesMohammadi with other women human rights defenders has been REARRESTED.
@peninternational.bsky.social calls for their immediate and unconditional release & access to medical care! pen.org/press-releas...
www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/statement...
@peninternational.bsky.social calls for their immediate and unconditional release & access to medical care! pen.org/press-releas...
www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/statement...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
We, the women of @peninternational.bsky.social join all who treasure justice & decry the fatal shooting of 37-year-old poet, mother, daughter, wife, Renée Nicole Good, on 1/7/26 by a United States Immigration Officer during ICE’s (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) invasion of Minneapolis, Minn.
January 10, 2026 at 5:09 PM
We, the women of @peninternational.bsky.social join all who treasure justice & decry the fatal shooting of 37-year-old poet, mother, daughter, wife, Renée Nicole Good, on 1/7/26 by a United States Immigration Officer during ICE’s (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) invasion of Minneapolis, Minn.
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Kenya 🇰🇪 @globalvoices.org highlights how sidelining African climate stories silences continental voices. Filmmaker Emily Wanja is pushing back and reclaiming narrative, space and power.
Kenyan filmmaker Emily Nderitu shows the world how to talk about climate change in Africa
"We’re not short of knowledge or courage in Africa. We’re short of recognition. Storytelling can fix that. It can close the gap between visibility and value."
buff.ly
January 10, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Kenya 🇰🇪 @globalvoices.org highlights how sidelining African climate stories silences continental voices. Filmmaker Emily Wanja is pushing back and reclaiming narrative, space and power.
Scottish PEN applauds all writers boycotting the Adelaide Writers Festival on its shameful decision to cancel Palestinian-Australian writer, Randa Abdel-Fattah.
The Zionist lobby is the voice of genocidal Israel.
We condemn all attempts to repress Palestinian voices.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
The Zionist lobby is the voice of genocidal Israel.
We condemn all attempts to repress Palestinian voices.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Authors withdraw from festival after Palestinian Australian author dropped
After Randa Abdel-Fattah was dropped from Adelaide Writers' Week by the Adelaide Festival Board, a slew of authors, including Michelle de Kretser, have withdrawn from the event.
www.abc.net.au
January 9, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Scottish PEN applauds all writers boycotting the Adelaide Writers Festival on its shameful decision to cancel Palestinian-Australian writer, Randa Abdel-Fattah.
The Zionist lobby is the voice of genocidal Israel.
We condemn all attempts to repress Palestinian voices.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
The Zionist lobby is the voice of genocidal Israel.
We condemn all attempts to repress Palestinian voices.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah is our client and we are proud to represent her. This cancellation is unjustifiable, morally and legally.
Authors withdraw from festival after Palestinian Australian author dropped
After Randa Abdel-Fattah was dropped from Adelaide Writers' Week by the Adelaide Festival Board, a slew of authors, including Michelle de Kretser, have withdrawn from the event.
www.abc.net.au
January 8, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah is our client and we are proud to represent her. This cancellation is unjustifiable, morally and legally.
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Statement: Jewish Council Condemns Adelaide Festival Removal of Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah
January 8, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Statement: Jewish Council Condemns Adelaide Festival Removal of Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Greg Barns: “In other parts of the world the Adelaide Festival would face legal action for its decision.” www.theage.com.au/culture/book...
Star British author Zadie Smith joins dozens of authors boycotting Adelaide Writers’ Week
Local and international writers have pulled out of one of the country’s best-loved writers’ festivals after Palestinian-Australian Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah was removed from its program.
www.theage.com.au
January 9, 2026 at 6:29 AM
Greg Barns: “In other parts of the world the Adelaide Festival would face legal action for its decision.” www.theage.com.au/culture/book...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
With Maduro's abduction, the 'rules-based world order' is officially dead - https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/maduros-abduction-rules-based-world-order-officially-dead
With Maduro's abduction, the 'rules-based world order' is officially dead
The globe is once again being carved up into spheres of influence - but this time, European powers are on the sidelines
www.middleeasteye.net
January 9, 2026 at 8:40 AM
With Maduro's abduction, the 'rules-based world order' is officially dead - https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/maduros-abduction-rules-based-world-order-officially-dead
Reposted by Scottish PEN
❗️📽️ NEW VIDEO
"WHO'S PAYING FOR YOUR LUNCH?"
We asked UK politicians why they went to a Labour Friends of Israel lunch
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TgN...
"WHO'S PAYING FOR YOUR LUNCH?"
We asked UK politicians why they went to a Labour Friends of Israel lunch
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TgN...
Labour MPs caught attending Israel lobby lunch
YouTube video by Declassified UK
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:57 AM
❗️📽️ NEW VIDEO
"WHO'S PAYING FOR YOUR LUNCH?"
We asked UK politicians why they went to a Labour Friends of Israel lunch
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TgN...
"WHO'S PAYING FOR YOUR LUNCH?"
We asked UK politicians why they went to a Labour Friends of Israel lunch
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TgN...