There are hundreds of writers and journalists in prison right now, most of them sentenced to long terms in brutal conditions merely for the ideas they express in their writing. PEN International, a nongovernmental organization based in London with centers around the world, has named November 15 the Day of the Imprisoned Writer in order to keep these unjustly imprisoned voices from falling silent.
For the first half of 2012, PEN International's list includes 156 sentenced writers in prison and another 132 on trial or under investigation. Many more have been harassed, beaten, or killed. RFE/RL honors the courageous journalists who put their livelihood and lives on the line for the mission of free press.
# Jailed Voices That Must Not Be Silenced
Robert Coalson looks at the history of PEN International and profiles journalists currently imprisoned in RFE/RL's broadcast areas.
# Azerbaijani Is Voice Of Talysh Minority
A profile of Hilal Mamedov, editor in chief of the Baku newspaper "Tolyshi sado" (Voice Of The Talysh), and one of seven Azerbaijani writers listed by PEN International as imprisoned.
# Iran Journalist Says Jail Conditions A 'Crime Against Humanity'
Robert Coalson examines the case of Iranian journalist Isa Saharkhiz, one of dozens of journalists and writers being held in Iranian prisons.
# Suspended Sentences Leave Kazakhs In Fear
Kazis Toguzbaev shares the story of Kazakh journalists who carry the burden of suspended sentences that could land them back in prison at any time.
Follow all of RFE/RL's breaking news online and on Twitter and Facebook.
For the first half of 2012, PEN International's list includes 156 sentenced writers in prison and another 132 on trial or under investigation. Many more have been harassed, beaten, or killed. RFE/RL honors the courageous journalists who put their livelihood and lives on the line for the mission of free press.
# Jailed Voices That Must Not Be Silenced
Robert Coalson looks at the history of PEN International and profiles journalists currently imprisoned in RFE/RL's broadcast areas.
# Azerbaijani Is Voice Of Talysh Minority
A profile of Hilal Mamedov, editor in chief of the Baku newspaper "Tolyshi sado" (Voice Of The Talysh), and one of seven Azerbaijani writers listed by PEN International as imprisoned.
# Iran Journalist Says Jail Conditions A 'Crime Against Humanity'
Robert Coalson examines the case of Iranian journalist Isa Saharkhiz, one of dozens of journalists and writers being held in Iranian prisons.
# Suspended Sentences Leave Kazakhs In Fear
Kazis Toguzbaev shares the story of Kazakh journalists who carry the burden of suspended sentences that could land them back in prison at any time.
Follow all of RFE/RL's breaking news online and on Twitter and Facebook.