Defend Expression

We live in extraordinary times. As Ukrainians resist daily bombardment by Russian forces with courage and resilience, a new law within Russia threatens journalists with imprisonment if they dare to publish what the Kremlin deems to be “fake” information about the “special operation in Ukraine.” Independent media and social networks who fail to toe the line are being forced out of the country. Several websites, including that of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, have been blocked by Russia’s communications regulator for spreading alleged misinformation. PEN Canada stands in solidarity with Ukraine and has been seeking concrete ways to assist our colleagues at PEN Ukraine.

When PEN Canada visits Victoria, BC in May, we will discuss the war with Ukraine historian, Dr. Serhy Yekelchyk of the University of Victoria. In the meantime, I urge everyone to take a look at the excellent Dialogues On War curated by PEN Ukraine to explain the current hostilities.

Dialogues on War is a series of conversations launched by PEN Ukraine where Ukrainian and foreign intellectuals talk about the experience of the war and share their own observations. The speakers of the first episode were Andriy Kurkov, President of PEN Ukraine and Philippe Sands, President of English PEN, moderated by Olha Mukha, Congress, Committees, and New Centres Manager PEN International, with closing remarks by Romana Cacchioli, Executive Director PEN International. Listen to the conversation here.

Please follow this link https://war.pen.org.ua/dialogues-on-war to view more excellent dialogues available on the PEN Ukraine website.

PEN International condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has issued a letter of support signed by over 1000 Nobel Laureates, writers and artists. The letter expresses solidarity with writers, journalists, artists, and the people of Ukraine calling for an immediate end to the bloodshed. The letter was published in The Guardian.

Read PEN Ukraine’s letter of gratitude to the international PEN community for their solidarity and support.