Writers at Risk Austria
@writers-at-risk.bsky.social
www.penclub.at
Writers at Risk Austria engagiert sich für SchriftstellerInnen, JournalistInnen, VerlegerInnen, RedakteurInnen und BloggerInnen und macht auf das Schicksal und den Verbleib von Gefangenen oder Verschwundenen aufmerksam.
Writers at Risk Austria engagiert sich für SchriftstellerInnen, JournalistInnen, VerlegerInnen, RedakteurInnen und BloggerInnen und macht auf das Schicksal und den Verbleib von Gefangenen oder Verschwundenen aufmerksam.
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
Amid horrific state violence against protesters in Iran, writer Ali Asadollahi's recent arrest shows that the Iranian authorities are turning to their familiar playbook of silencing dissenting voices and crushing cultural and intellectual resistance. Read our full statement: pen.org/press-releas...
Violent Arrest of Iranian Writer An Assault on Free Expression
Asadollahi's detention signals a worsening campaign of intimidation and violence against writers amid the state’s crackdown on protestors.
pen.org
January 26, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Amid horrific state violence against protesters in Iran, writer Ali Asadollahi's recent arrest shows that the Iranian authorities are turning to their familiar playbook of silencing dissenting voices and crushing cultural and intellectual resistance. Read our full statement: pen.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
#Iran: PEN International condemns the violent and arbitrary arrest of Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi on 12 December. We are gravely concerned for her health and safety and call for her immediate and unconditional release.
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/iran-au...
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/iran-au...
Iran: authorities must release writer and Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi immediately and ensure her safety — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwid...
“We are deeply shocked by the news of the brutal assault and subsequent detention of prominent Iranian writer and Nobel laureate, Narges Mohammadi last week. Mohammadi has always faced persecution due...
www.pen-international.org
December 16, 2025 at 10:35 AM
#Iran: PEN International condemns the violent and arbitrary arrest of Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi on 12 December. We are gravely concerned for her health and safety and call for her immediate and unconditional release.
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/iran-au...
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/iran-au...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
#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...
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
#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...
Read the letter below ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
#Belarus: As we welcome the release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak and Aliaksandr Fiaduta with immense relief, we urge justice for the violations they suffered, including their forced exile.
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/belarus...
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/belarus...
Belarus: PEN members amongst those released into exile — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
‘The PEN movement has been eagerly campaigning for this moment for years. As we welcome the release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak and Aliaksandr Fiaduta with immense relief, we urge just...
www.pen-international.org
December 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM
#Belarus: As we welcome the release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak and Aliaksandr Fiaduta with immense relief, we urge justice for the violations they suffered, including their forced exile.
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/belarus...
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/belarus...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
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...
Explore the auction: www.pen-international.org/news/literar...
December 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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...
Explore the auction: www.pen-international.org/news/literar...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
At a time of widespread war and growing authoritarianism, our Writers for Peace Committee insists that peace requires action and solidarity.
Read the full statement: www.pen-international.org/news/human-r...
Read the full statement: www.pen-international.org/news/human-r...
December 10, 2025 at 3:25 PM
At a time of widespread war and growing authoritarianism, our Writers for Peace Committee insists that peace requires action and solidarity.
Read the full statement: www.pen-international.org/news/human-r...
Read the full statement: www.pen-international.org/news/human-r...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
#RussianFederation: Writer Larisa Tuptsokova faces years in prison in absentia for her work promoting Circassian language and culture. We urge the authorities to drop all charges and to end mounting acts of transnational repression. www.pen-international.org/news/russian...
Russian Federation: Drop spurious extremism case against Circassian writer Larisa Tuptsokova — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
“ The preposterous case against Larisa Tuptsokova is in direct retaliation for her work promoting Circassian language and culture. The Russian authorities must end their relentless onslaught on free...
www.pen-international.org
December 11, 2025 at 11:14 AM
#RussianFederation: Writer Larisa Tuptsokova faces years in prison in absentia for her work promoting Circassian language and culture. We urge the authorities to drop all charges and to end mounting acts of transnational repression. www.pen-international.org/news/russian...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
#Ukraine/RussianFederation: We condemn the horrific torture of #Ukraine journalist Viktoria Roshchyna.
As #Russia continues to act with impunity, we urge justice and accountability for Viktoria and Ukrainians held in Russian captivity.
Read more ➡️ www.pen-international.org/news/ukraine...
As #Russia continues to act with impunity, we urge justice and accountability for Viktoria and Ukrainians held in Russian captivity.
Read more ➡️ www.pen-international.org/news/ukraine...
Ukraine/Russian Federation: Investigate torture and death in custody of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
“PEN International utterly condemns the horrific torture of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, who died in Russian custody. As the Russian authorities are trying to cover up their crimes and con...
www.pen-international.org
May 2, 2025 at 9:33 AM
#Ukraine/RussianFederation: We condemn the horrific torture of #Ukraine journalist Viktoria Roshchyna.
As #Russia continues to act with impunity, we urge justice and accountability for Viktoria and Ukrainians held in Russian captivity.
Read more ➡️ www.pen-international.org/news/ukraine...
As #Russia continues to act with impunity, we urge justice and accountability for Viktoria and Ukrainians held in Russian captivity.
Read more ➡️ www.pen-international.org/news/ukraine...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
#Ukraine journalist Viktoria Roshchyna bore numerous signs of torture when she died in custody in #Russia. All those responsible for her death and horrific abuse must be brought to account.
PEN International continues to call for immediate justice.
🔗 forbiddenstories.org/russia-detai...
PEN International continues to call for immediate justice.
🔗 forbiddenstories.org/russia-detai...
Russia’s ‘Ghost Detainees’: The Investigation That Cost Viktoriia Roshchyna Her Life
Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna was pronounced dead in Russian captivity in October 2024, after being secretly held for months in Russian-occupied Ukraine and a Russian prison. In February 20...
forbiddenstories.org
April 30, 2025 at 10:30 AM
#Ukraine journalist Viktoria Roshchyna bore numerous signs of torture when she died in custody in #Russia. All those responsible for her death and horrific abuse must be brought to account.
PEN International continues to call for immediate justice.
🔗 forbiddenstories.org/russia-detai...
PEN International continues to call for immediate justice.
🔗 forbiddenstories.org/russia-detai...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
NEW: The number of writers jailed around the world has increased for the sixth year in a row. Our latest #FreedomToWrite Index recorded at least 375 writers jailed for their work in 40 countries during 2024. Read more: pen.org/press-releas...
Number of Jailed Writers Increases Worldwide - PEN America
The number of writers jailed around the world has increased for the sixth year in a row according to the 2024 Freedom to Write Index.
pen.org
April 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
NEW: The number of writers jailed around the world has increased for the sixth year in a row. Our latest #FreedomToWrite Index recorded at least 375 writers jailed for their work in 40 countries during 2024. Read more: pen.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
@penamerica.bsky.social ’s latest report highlights rising threats to writers, not just in authoritarian states, but in democracies too.
PEN International echoes the call to protect writers everywhere.
Read via The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
PEN International echoes the call to protect writers everywhere.
Read via The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
US writers at growing risk of crackdown on free speech, says PEN America
China again biggest jailer of writers in 2024, followed by Iran – with Israel in fifth place, says organisation’s annual report
www.theguardian.com
April 25, 2025 at 10:41 AM
@penamerica.bsky.social ’s latest report highlights rising threats to writers, not just in authoritarian states, but in democracies too.
PEN International echoes the call to protect writers everywhere.
Read via The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
PEN International echoes the call to protect writers everywhere.
Read via The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
#Serbia: We stand with the brave people of Serbia and urge the authorities to immediately stop all acts of intimidation and reprisals, and to uphold fundamental freedoms.
Read our joint statement with Serbian PEN: www.pen-international.org/news/serbia-...
Read our joint statement with Serbian PEN: www.pen-international.org/news/serbia-...
Serbia: End chilling crackdown on peaceful dissent — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
Serbian translation available below ‘PEN International urges the Serbian authorities to end their alarming onslaught on peaceful expression, including against writers, journalists, academics and ...
www.pen-international.org
April 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
#Serbia: We stand with the brave people of Serbia and urge the authorities to immediately stop all acts of intimidation and reprisals, and to uphold fundamental freedoms.
Read our joint statement with Serbian PEN: www.pen-international.org/news/serbia-...
Read our joint statement with Serbian PEN: www.pen-international.org/news/serbia-...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
#MahvashSabet’s poetry was born behind bars, written despite relentless persecution of her Baha’i faith. On #WorldPoetryDay, we demand her immediate release.
Featured in our 2025 Case List— IDENTITY ON TRIAL: PERSECUTION AND RESISTANCE, take action today: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Featured in our 2025 Case List— IDENTITY ON TRIAL: PERSECUTION AND RESISTANCE, take action today: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
World Poetry Day 2025: Take Action for Mahvash Sabet (Iran) — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
www.pen-international.org
March 21, 2025 at 12:47 PM
#MahvashSabet’s poetry was born behind bars, written despite relentless persecution of her Baha’i faith. On #WorldPoetryDay, we demand her immediate release.
Featured in our 2025 Case List— IDENTITY ON TRIAL: PERSECUTION AND RESISTANCE, take action today: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Featured in our 2025 Case List— IDENTITY ON TRIAL: PERSECUTION AND RESISTANCE, take action today: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
'We condemn the brutal onslaught on peaceful expression unleashed by the authorities of #Türkiye, who continue to show their utter contempt for the rule of law...’ PEN International President Burhan Sonmez. Our statement: www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...
Türkiye: Alarming crackdown on peaceful expression condemned — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
“PEN International condemns the brutal onslaught on peaceful expression unleashed by the authorities of Türkiye, who continue to show their utter contempt for the rule of law and long-standing determi...
www.pen-international.org
March 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
'We condemn the brutal onslaught on peaceful expression unleashed by the authorities of #Türkiye, who continue to show their utter contempt for the rule of law...’ PEN International President Burhan Sonmez. Our statement: www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
Words related to DEI, climate change, vaccines and a host of other topics are being scrubbed from government websites.
“How can we have intelligent or difficult conversations if we can’t even use the words, the most basic unit of meaning?” asks @jonfreadom.bsky.social
More: pen.org/banned-words...
“How can we have intelligent or difficult conversations if we can’t even use the words, the most basic unit of meaning?” asks @jonfreadom.bsky.social
More: pen.org/banned-words...
March 21, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Words related to DEI, climate change, vaccines and a host of other topics are being scrubbed from government websites.
“How can we have intelligent or difficult conversations if we can’t even use the words, the most basic unit of meaning?” asks @jonfreadom.bsky.social
More: pen.org/banned-words...
“How can we have intelligent or difficult conversations if we can’t even use the words, the most basic unit of meaning?” asks @jonfreadom.bsky.social
More: pen.org/banned-words...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
For the first time, we are launching a digital catalogue of IDENTITY ON TRIAL: PERSECUTION AND RESISTANCE, our Case List 2025, allowing users to explore individual cases by region and status.
Discover the stories of writers facing persecution worldwide: www.pen-international.org/identity-on-...
Discover the stories of writers facing persecution worldwide: www.pen-international.org/identity-on-...
Identity on Trial: Persecution and Resistance – PEN International Case List 2025 — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
Identity on Trial: Persecution and Resistance – PEN International Case List 2025
www.pen-international.org
March 22, 2025 at 11:27 AM
For the first time, we are launching a digital catalogue of IDENTITY ON TRIAL: PERSECUTION AND RESISTANCE, our Case List 2025, allowing users to explore individual cases by region and status.
Discover the stories of writers facing persecution worldwide: www.pen-international.org/identity-on-...
Discover the stories of writers facing persecution worldwide: www.pen-international.org/identity-on-...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
🚨 The Europe Press Freedom Report 2025 is out!
Read the analysis and calls for action by 15 media freedom organisations
👉 fom.coe.int/en/rapports/...
#EuropeForFreeMedia
Read the analysis and calls for action by 15 media freedom organisations
👉 fom.coe.int/en/rapports/...
#EuropeForFreeMedia
March 5, 2025 at 11:23 AM
🚨 The Europe Press Freedom Report 2025 is out!
Read the analysis and calls for action by 15 media freedom organisations
👉 fom.coe.int/en/rapports/...
#EuropeForFreeMedia
Read the analysis and calls for action by 15 media freedom organisations
👉 fom.coe.int/en/rapports/...
#EuropeForFreeMedia
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
#Türkiye: We utterly condemn the latest crackdown on Kurdish, opposition, and minority voices – including writers, journalists, and artists – and urge the release of all those held for their peaceful expression
www.middleeasteye.net/news/mass-de...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/mass-de...
Turkey: Mass detention snares leftist, pro-Kurdish and LBGTQ journalists
Almost 300 people were arrest on Tuesday over alleged PKK links
www.middleeasteye.net
February 20, 2025 at 10:24 AM
#Türkiye: We utterly condemn the latest crackdown on Kurdish, opposition, and minority voices – including writers, journalists, and artists – and urge the release of all those held for their peaceful expression
www.middleeasteye.net/news/mass-de...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/mass-de...
Reposted by Writers at Risk Austria
We are gravely concerned about the deteriorating health of British-Egyptian academic, HRD, and mother of Alaa El-Fattah, after being hospitalised over the night on day 149 of hunger strike.
We reiterate our call for immediate and unconditional release.
www.pen-international.org/news/uk-fore...
We reiterate our call for immediate and unconditional release.
www.pen-international.org/news/uk-fore...
UK Foreign Secretary must act: Free Alaa Abd el-Fattah now — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
23 January 2025: PEN International, alongside twelve other human rights organisations, urges the UK Foreign Secretary to secure the release of British-Egyptian writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah during their t...
www.pen-international.org
February 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
We are gravely concerned about the deteriorating health of British-Egyptian academic, HRD, and mother of Alaa El-Fattah, after being hospitalised over the night on day 149 of hunger strike.
We reiterate our call for immediate and unconditional release.
www.pen-international.org/news/uk-fore...
We reiterate our call for immediate and unconditional release.
www.pen-international.org/news/uk-fore...