PEN Canada envisions a world where
writers are free to write,
readers are free to read,
and freedom of expression prevails
PEN International condemns the ongoing arbitrary detention of blogger Raif Badawi, currently serving a 10-year sentence in Saudi Arabia.
John Ralston Saul, Katherine Govier, Andrew Pyper, Yann Martel, Linwood Barclay and John Valliant put pen to paper for three imprisoned writers: Raif Badawi, Khadija Ismayilova and Eskinder Nega.
PEN Canada joins PEN International in their condemnation of Saudi Arabian authorities’ decision to sentence poet Ashraf Fayadh to death.
John Ralston Saul, author of Dark Diversions and The Comeback, wrote this note to Saudi Arabian blogger and author, Raif Badawi, who is serving a 10 year prison sentence and facing 1000 lashes.
Andrew Pyper, author of The Damned and The Demonologist, wrote this note to Saudi Arabian blogger and author, Raif Badawi, who is serving a 10 year prison sentence and facing 1000 lashes.
Katherine Govier, author of The Ghost Brush and Creation, wrote this note to Saudi Arabian blogger and author, Raif Badawi, who is serving a 10 year prison sentence and facing 1000 lashes.
On Nov. 15, PEN Canada observes the Day of the Imprisoned Writer to focus attention on the unjust imprisonment of writers around the world.
Excerpt from the book 1000 Lashes, by Raif Badawi, published in 2015 by Greystone Books
PEN Canada president, Randy Boyagoda, reflects on the Saudi bid to head the UN Human Rights Council and how freeing Raif Badawi could impact the Kingdom’s international reputation.
On June 7, 2015, the Saudi Supreme Court confirmed the sentence of 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes imposed on editor Raif Badawi after his conviction for “insulting Islam” and “founding a liberal website.”
Finding the Words: Writers on Inspiration, Desire, War, Celebrity, Exile, and Breaking the Rules