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India Lays Charges Against Arundhati Roy

12 October 2023: PEN International is deeply concerned by reports that the Indian authorities have approved the prosecution of writer Arundhati Roy over a speech she gave 13 years ago. We call on the Indian authorities to immediately cease the legal proceedings against her and to end its weaponization of the legal system against writers, journalists, and others who engage in peaceful expression. Criticism of the government is not a crime.

Salman Rushdie 1992 benefit, Ric Young, Salman Rushdie, Louise Dennys, and Michael Ondaatje

PEN condemns attack on Salman Rushdie

PEN International is deeply shocked and appalled to learn that former PEN America President and renowned writer, Salman Rushdie, was attacked today just before giving a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. We utterly condemn the attack and wish him a prompt and full recovery.

PEN International Announces Shortlist for New Voices Award

On August 22nd, PEN International announced its inaugural New Voices Award shortlist. Claire Battershill, author of “The Collective Name of Ninjas”, has been shortlisted for the award and has been invited to read her work at the 79th annual PEN International Congress in Reykjavík.