#Belarus: Six years after the fraudulent presidential election, we stand with Belarusian cultural figures creating with courage—at home and in exile. Read our joint statement with @penbelarus.bsky.social ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/belarus...

Belarus: Cultural crackdown and resilience six years on — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

‘We stand with the fearless Belarusian cultural figures who continue to create in the most challenging circumstances – both at home and in exile. On this fateful day, we reiterate calls on the interna...

pen-international.org

#Poland: The new Anti-SLAPP Act is a major win against legal harassment of journalists & writers. As we celebrate, we also call for these positive changes to inspire broader reforms, starting with the repeal of criminal defamation. Read more ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/poland-...

Poland: Anti-SLAPP Act is welcome improvement for writers   — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

‘For years, SLAPPs have emotionally and financially burdened Poland’s writers and journalists. As we celebrate the passing of the Anti-SLAPP Act, we call for these positive changes to inspire broader ...

pen-international.org

Join us for this event at 1230pm on Saturday 9th May at The Wheeler Centre. Secure your tickets via the link below! mwf.com.au/program/tare...

Moderated by Peter Greste, joined by Hany Babu, Mahmoud Muna, and Taciana Niadbaj. Voices Freed: International Solidarity in a Time of Global Disorder (23 April 2026, 13:00–14:30 UK) explore their own lived experiences and discuss the important of global solidarity. Book your free ticket below:

Join us in conversation with Travis Lovett as he reflects on his ongoing work for systemic reform and the urgency of national truth-telling ahead of his April 2026 National Walk for Truth, calling for a national truth-telling process developed in genuine partnership with First Nations peoples.

Join us in Melbourne/ Naarm at the bottom steps of the State Library of Victoria at 5pm on Friday 20th March for a worldwide reading marking Nowruz — Persian New Year. All are welcome.

Join us in conversation with Travis Lovett as he reflects on his ongoing work for systemic reform and the urgency of national truth-telling ahead of his April 2026 National Walk for Truth, calling for a national truth-telling process developed in genuine partnership with First Nations peoples.

At a time when writers, artists and advocates in Australia and around the world are being silenced for speaking out against oppression, PEN Melbourne is committed to the guiding principle that literature knows no frontiers.

PEN Melbourne stands with PEN America in calling on the Iranian government to immediately release Ali Asadollahi and for an end to state repression, which is inclusive of such against writers, journalists, and human rights defenders.

This year, Travis Lovett will lead a National Walk for Truth from the Victorian Parliament on Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Country to Parliament House in Canberra on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country throughout April and May. To learn more, follow the link below.

Writers and creatives in Australia are experiencing troublesome times. These writers, poets and artists are indispensable to the rich and diverse cultural, civic, and creative fabric of Australia. PEN Melbourne stands with them and supports the freedom of creative expression.

We stand with PEN International in strongly condemning the arbitrary, violent arrest and detention of writer, human rights defender, and Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi on 12 December and calls for her immediate and unconditional release.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

Victorian government makes historic apology to Aboriginal people

The Victorian government has made a historic apology to Aboriginal Victorians, in one of the first public acts to follow the signing of the state's treaty agreement.

abc.net.au

💌 PEN Melbourne invites you to our AGM to write cards to imprisoned writers, sharing messages of support to remind them that they’re not alone. We welcome new members to the Committee and answer questions that may arise during this time. We look forward to seeing you then 💌

SIGN OUR PETITION: Uyghur writer #YalqunRozi has spent 9 years behind bars in China for expressing his cultural identity. Sentenced to 15 years, his only “crime” was helping preserve the Uyghur language. You can set him free. #DayoftheImprisonedWriter

TAKE ACTION: Venezuelan journalist #RoryBranker has been arbitrarily detained— silenced for seeking truth. His voice must be heard again. This #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, join us in calling for his immediate release. Sign our petition: www.pen-international.org/rory-branker...

Writers around the world are raising their voices for Day of the Imprisoned Writer. Together, we defend the right to write freely through amplifying the voices of those silenced. #DayoftheImprisonedWriter #RoryBranker #YalqunRozi #MohamedTadjadit #MziaAmaglobeli

"Ekinci is guilty of nothing but daring to be a writer in today’s #Türkiye.” We welcome the dismissal of the case against @yavuzekinci.bsky.social and urge the authorities to uphold the freedom to create for all. www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-....

Türkiye: Writer Yavuz Ekinci on trial again as spurious terror-propaganda case resumes — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

‘That Kurdish writer Yavuz Ekinci finds himself in court again for his writings after the case against him was dismissed exposes the authorities of Türkiye’s pernicious pursuit of those who dare explo...

pen-international.org

REPORT: PEN International launches Critical Junctures: Safeguarding the Freedom to Create in Poland, revealing how artistic freedoms have been curtailed, and celebrating the courage of those defending independent voices. Read more: www.pen-international.org/news/critica... #CriticalJunctures

Critical Junctures: PEN International’s report exposes threats to artistic expression in Poland  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

“Critical Junctures is a vital record of the pressures facing Poland’s writers, journalists, and cultural actors over the past decade while identifying catalysts for change. It shows not only how free...

pen-international.org

A verdict is expected on 6 October in the preposterous case against Yavuz Ekinci. He faces years in prison on terror propaganda grounds for his book Rüyası Bölünenler (Dream Divided). We urge #Türkiye to drop all charges and to uphold the freedom to create. www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...

Türkiye: Writer Yavuz Ekinci on trial again as spurious terror-propaganda case resumes — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

‘That Kurdish writer Yavuz Ekinci finds himself in court again for his writings after the case against him was dismissed exposes the authorities of Türkiye’s pernicious pursuit of those who dare explo...

pen-international.org

Join us at The Wheeler Centre for this panel featuring Mary Kostakidis, Micaela Sahhar and Sarah Schwartz where they’ll highlight the imperative need to protect writers and journalists’ freedom of speech, dissent and open political discourse. 🔗 Tickets are available now via the link below.

Alaa Abd El Fattah has not been defeated! The British-Egyptian writer and activist has been reunited with family after he was pardoned by Egyptian President, Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi. PEN Melbourne honour the families resistance and tenacity in achieving Alaa's release. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Alaa Abdel Fattah: British-Egyptian activist released from prison

Alaa Abdel Fattah, who was imprisoned in Egypt for six years, is reunited with his family in Cairo after being pardoned.

bbc.com

We stand with @peninternational and their resolutions to defend free expression, gender diversity, human rights, and climate justice. Full statement available via the link in their bio 🔗

🚨 An Open Letter in Defence of Free Expression and the Right to Share Information 🚨 Join us as we stand with Mary Kostakidis to fight these allegations which our democracy depends on for free and open discussions. 🔗 Follow the link below to show your support 🔗

Writing Against Silencing: PEN Melbourne Workshop Explore the tensions between creative expression and censorship in the Asia-Pacific region during this online event with author Sreedhevi Iyer on 17/08/25 between 4-7pm.

#Belarus: Five years after the fraudulent 2020 elections, the crackdown on writers and cultural figures continues with impunity. PEN Belarus, PEN International & PEN America call for accountability and unwavering support for Belarusian culture.

Belarus: Five years of relentless crackdown on cultural rights  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

‘Belarusian culture, language and identity have come under sustained onslaught over the past five years. It is high time the international community takes a stance in support of the Belarusian…

pen-international.org

🤍 Free Alaa 🤍 Members of PEN Melbourne gathered outside the street level of the British Consulate in Melbourne on Monday to hold our second Vigil For Alaa. Join us on 18th of August, between 3pm and 5pm in the same place. We will be there on the third Monday of every month. #freealaa

🚨 The Free Narges Coalition Steering Committee has published a public statement with information following the reports which have emerged after serious threats were made to the safety and life of Narges Mohammadi 🚨 Follow the link below to learn more. #NargesMohammadi

🖤❤️💛 Join us in partnership with The Wheeler Centre on Thursday 17th July, 630pm, for this live conversation at The Wheeler Centre 💛❤️🖤 Hosted by Bridget Brennan with Ngarra Murray, this event will explore Treaty in Victoria, while asking where we stand following the outcome of The Voice Referendum.

#Türkiye: We join PEN International and others in expressing deep concern over the arrest warrant issued against journalist, poet, and Honorary PEN member, Nedim Türfent. We call for the warrant to be retracted without delay. 🔗 Follow the link in the comments to read the joint statement