International PEN newsletter July 2009

International PEN newsletter July 2009








Dear friends,

I write this month with news of many exciting activities that have been happening at International PEN. First I would like to tell you about the Writers in Prison Committee Conference that I attended in Oslo at the beginning of June. It was as always, an important gathering of PEN friends from across the world, sharing their stories and successes of the incredible work that we all carry out defending freedom of expression. It was wonderful to have Lydia Cacho and Jiang Weiping with us; the very fact that we were all together on the 20th anniversary of Tiananmen Square on June 4th was a powerful reminder that our work is as relevant today as it was in 1989. PEN continues to support many of the writers involved in the Tiananmen pro-democracy protests including the poet and writer Liu Xiaobo.

I visited Flemish PEN on June 13th and spent some time discussing ‘The Writer's Role in a World of Conflict'. It felt good to be able to visit our friends at this Centre and their hospitality warmed my heart.

I also want to share with you the news that the first issue of PEN International magazine for 2009, Heaven and Earth, has been published. You can download the online issue from the International PEN website and read a selection of great poetry, stories and essays. Every PEN Centre receives two copies of the printed issue so do remember to ask your President or Secretary if you can borrow it to read - or subscribe to it yourself through the International PEN website!

Lastly, please do forward this newsletter to your PEN friends in your Centre and to other friends interested in the work of PEN. It is very important that we share our news so that we are always informed of the different activities taking place in every corner of the globe.

Until the next time.

Best wishes,
Eugene, International Secretary

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Dear Friends,

We are now looking forward to being together at the 75th annual Congress, which will take place in Linz from 19th to 25th October. Austrian PEN sent the letters of invitation to all Centres recently so please do let us know if you haven't received one as yet.

As I know you are aware, we are working to keep the business of the Assembly which is the Annual General Meeting of International PEN to a minimum and to ensure that literature plays a key role in our gathering. The 19th -22nd of October will be devoted to the Congress and from the 23rd to the 25th we will enjoy Free the Word! Linz - International PEN's festival of world literature. Thanks to grants from the European Union and the Prince Claus Foundation, Free the Word!, which is now a single festival taking place in different cities, will launch its new annual cycle in Linz and take place in nine countries over the course of the year.

Free the Word! celebrates the best in world literature and in particular promotes literature in translation, and presents eminent and emerging voices. We recently launched the Free the Word! World Book Club featuring authors from the festival on the International PEN website.

I look forward to seeing you in Linz!

Caroline McCormick


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International Programmes While the Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean Programmes are developing and expanding, this year, the new focus of the Regional Programmes is Asia Pacific. To launch this new collaboration with the region, a meeting between International PEN and the PEN Centres of the Asia Pacific region will take place between 13th - 17th July. Current projects that are underway include initiatives in Nicaragua and Bolivia. Bolivian PEN is concerned with questions of translation and accessibility of literature. The Centre is locating texts in Quechua and in Spanish that will be used as a focal point for a series of workshops in five schools. The workshops will introduce the texts and use these to start a conversation about human rights and multiculturalism.

Nicaraguan PEN members are visiting 32 schools and universities across the country to initiate conversations about reading and writing, national literature, and the freedom to write. They plan to develop a project on a wider scale in the coming years.

PEN International: Heaven and Earth,

The spring 2009 issue of PEN International magazine, ‘Heaven and Earth' is now available. Taking its inspiration from the theme of the Free the Word! London 2009 festival of world literature, contributors to this issue include Lydia Cacho, Petina Gappah, Azar Nafisi and Florian Zeller.

We are currently accepting submissions for the Autumn/Winter 2009 edition, ‘Context: Asia Pacific', celebrating contemporary writing from the furthest reaches of Australasia to the Indian Subcontinent and into Afghanistan, plus all of East and Southeast Asia. Submissions are welcome from writers from these regions or residing there, as well as non-inhabitants who have written on or travelled through these parts of the world. Submission deadline is 25 July 2009. To contribute your work please contact mitchell.albert@internationalpen.org.uk

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International PEN's Free the Word! festival of world literature is going global, beginning on 23 October 2009 in Linz, Austria, immediately after the 75th International PEN Congress. Free the Word! Linz will be followed by Free the Word! Guadalajara in November, Free the Word! Dakar in December and from January 2010, events continue in Cartagena, Barcelona and the third Free the Word! London in April.

In June we also launched the Free the Word! World Book Club. The books chosen will be from Free the Word! festival authors. The first book, for June's book club, was Tahmima Anam's A Golden Age, a fictionalised account of the Bangladesh War of Independence combined with Anam's family history. Anam wrote two specially commissioned pieces for the Book Club including a reflection on her inspiration for the novel.

The July book is Kamila Shamsie's Burnt Shadows. Commentaries and readers' guides are available on our website in English, French and Spanish at http://www.internationalpen.org.uk. A blog has also been launched for book club readers to share their thoughts: http://freetheblog.typepad.com/. For more information and to get involved in the book club visit http://www.internationalpen.org.ukhttp://www.internationalpen.org.uk/go/news/free-the-word-around-the-world.

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PEN Committee News

Writers for Peace
The Writers for Peace Committee have launched a new blog ‘A Permanent Whisper as a Cry for Peace'. It is featured within the website of Portuguese PEN and has been set up to provide a space for discussion about peace and war ‘as writers, not as sociologists or politicians'. To access the blog visit http://permanentwhisper.penclubeportugues.org/

Women Writers
Judith Buckrich's term as Chair of the Women Writers' Committee will end at the International PEN Congress in Linz this October. Nominations are currently being accepted for her successor. If you are a PEN Centre and would like to nominate a candidate please contact Judith Rodriguez, Chair of the Committee of Searches, rodju@tpg.com.au

Lucina Kathmann and Dorothea Weis (Tsung Su), both members of the Women Writers' Committee, attended the 53rd CSW Session (Commission on The Status of Women of the United Nations) in March this year. The stated priority theme of the 53rd CSW Session was : The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including care-giving in the context of HIV/AIDS. This primary concern brought a heavy presence of male participants to the multi-angled discussions of HIV/AIDS at the parallel NGO panels during the Session. Lucina and Dorothea's full reports will be in the next IPWWC newsletter that will be published this summer. For more information visit http://www.ipwwc.org

Translation and Linguistic Rights
The Translation & Linguistic Rights Committee met in Barcelona in April for their annual conference. PEN members discussed the work of the Committee and their focus activities for the next three years. For more details about the Conference please contact pen@pencatala.cat

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Writers in Prison
In April, Mexican author and activist Lydia Cacho spoke about her experience of persecution during a discussion entitled ‘Hell on Earth' at PEN's second Free the Word! festival in London, and at the London Book Fair in collaboration with English PEN. Also, The WiPC launched an interactive map detailing attacks on writers across the Americas since 2004 (available in English and Spanish).

For World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, the WiPC made public its ‘Declaration in Defence of the Freedom to Write in the Americas', signed by more than 50 well known writers from the region such as Paul Auster, Ernesto Cardenal, Lydia Cacho, Noam Chomsky, Junot Diaz and Derek Walcott. We also released a postcard action calling for an end to the impunity surrounding journalist murders and disappearances in Mexico.

At the beginning of June, the WiPC conference was held in Oslo as a part of the Global Forum on Freedom of Expression. It included a review of the campaign, including testimony from Lydia Cacho and Edda Armas, President of Venezuelan PEN. To read more about the conference, including the future proposals discussed, go to http://expressionforum.org/.

For more information on the campaign and how you can get involved, please see Freedom to write in the Americas (English) or Libertad para escribir en las Americas (Spanish), or contact Tamsin Mitchell, WiPC researcher for the Americas, at tamsin.mitchell@internationalpen.org.uk

---------PEN News-------------

• San Miguel PEN has a new website. Visit it at http://www.sanmiguelpen.com

• Sydney PEN has launched the June 2009 edition of their magazine. Find the magazine on their website at http://www.pen.org.au/. This online magazine will be published twice annually.

• South African PEN announced the winners of the first PEN/Studzinski Literary Award for original short stories in English by African authors. The award encourages new creative writing in Africa and is open to all citizens of African countries writing in English. From 827 entries ranging from ages 10 to 101, Nobel Laureate J.M.Coetzee gave the first prize to Karen Jayes's short story Where he will leave his shoes. Andrew Saloman's A visit to Dr. Mamba was awarded second place. To view the full list of 2009 PEN/Studzinski finalists, visit: http://www.sapen.co.za/UpdatesStudzinski.aspx.

• The 4th Regional Conference of the Trieste PEN Centre will take place in the period 1-4 October 2009 in Trieste. The theme, ‘The literary routes of the Mediterranean', takes the conference through European borders and beyond. The Trieste PEN Centre has also recently launched a blog allowing a space for international dialogue and current updates of the Centre's activities. The blog can be found at http://penclubtrieste.blogspot.com/

• In conjunction with Refugee Week, Scottish PEN has invited poetry and prose from refugees, asylum seekers, and those whose first language is not English to appear alongside the work of professional writers and Scottish PEN members. The writing, inspired by the theme of 'Home', will be posted on both the Scottish Refugee Council and Scottish PEN websites from 15th June 2009. In addition, plans are now underway for a regular Scottish PEN online literary magazine which will appear on a different theme later this year.

• Due to a lack of literature regarding PEN in the Chinese language, PEN writer Yu Zhang is writing a book about the early history of International PEN. Within the book entitled World of Writers, he plans to have a chapter dedicated to each PEN Centre. He needs help collecting biographies of founding members and photos from each Centre. Please submit information in English or its original language. He plans to publish the book for the 90th anniversary of International PEN in 2011. Send your information as well as any suggestions to yuzhang@comhem.se

• Macedonian PEN: Diversity has posted new material on their website: http://www.diversity.org.mk/ . Diversity is an International PEN electronic collection of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. To view the new poetry selections by Triztan G. Vindtorn in the original Norwegian as well as Macedonian and English translations, go to http://diversity.org.mk/Sodrzini.asp?idEKniga=218.

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News from Elsewhere

On April 16th, Azar Nafisi attended an evening at the Stockholm Cultural Centre dedicated to the writer, journalist and playwright Dawit Isaak from Eritrea. The evening followed a gathering outside the Swedish Parliament on April 28th. Isaak was taken into custody by the Eritrean authorities on 23 September 2001. He has not been charged formally or given a fair trial and has not been allowed visitors. The protest against his treatment is now international with an online petition:

• http://www.PetitionOnline.com/D_Isaak/. Please add your voice.

• A call for nominations for Sheikh Zayed Book Award was issued May 20, 2009. The awards programme recognises writers, translators, novelists and publishers who contribute to promoting the Arabic culture. There are nine separate awards which will be open until September 15, 2009. The prizes range from 750,000 to 1 million Durhams (US$ 205,000 - 270,000). An Arabic and English website has been launched with all of the latest information regarding the programme: www.zayedaward.com. For further information contact Karin.a@zayedaward.com.

The next newsletter will be available in September 2009.

PEN Centres: please send your news for inclusion to Emily Bromfield, emily.bromfield@internationalpen.org.uk

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Originally founded in 1921 to promote literature, today International PEN has 144 Centres in 102 countries across the globe. Our primary goal is to engage with, and empower, societies and communities across cultures and languages, through reading and writing. We believe that writers can play a crucial role in changing and developing civil society. We do this through the promotion of literature, international campaigning on issues such as translation and freedom of expression and improving access to literature at international, regional and national levels. Our membership is open to all published writers who subscribe to the PEN Charter regardless of nationality, language, race, colour or religion. International PEN is a non-political organisation and has special consultative status at UNESCO and the United Nations.

International PEN, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER
Email: info@internationalpen.org.uk
Website: www.internationalpen.org.uk
International PEN is a registered charity, number 1117088
To find out more visit www.internationalpen.org.uk

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxposted by Albert Ashok

Is it misunderstanding or misuse of Power?

Is it misunderstanding or misuse of Power?

Please, help me understand my position. I wait for your views.

I have posted my views on Taslima Nasreen in this blog on 8th July 2009 ' The Other side of Taslima' ( you can click the link below and check
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/07/other-side-of-taslima.html )
and I told Mr Ranjan Gupta, the present secretary ( of one and half month, from last 4th June 2009) about my recent post a few days later, he saw it and told to withdraw the post, I refused to comply with his order. He threatened me about the cancellation of my membership. I fear he may succeed in doing so.

Now , this afternoon (12:30 pm) I got a registered letter from Mr. Ranjan Gupta see the pictura below, he wanted me to explain why I didnot comply his word, When I started this blog he was not around, I promoted the organisation over a period of two or more, through my mails and this blog. should I answer him?


I started this blog on my own about two years ago, I took this job as a communication media among writers from Kolkata, West Bengal, India, I have another blog for PEN http://penreporter.blogspot.com/ Over hundred articles I have posted in two PEN blogs.
I never claimed these blogs run by PEN West Bengal Chapter. Nor one reader would take things granted for West Bengal Chapter of PEN. Like a reporter I just started to keep people aware about the existence of Indian PEN center and its West Bengal chapter. and what I know as information about PEN I like to share it with other writers and interested persons.

My question is : had Mr. Ranjan Gupta discussed it in the executive committee before sending me this letter? and who are the executives members? who have not even met the least criteria of becoming an ordinary member of PEN, some members even donot know they are members, some member never come. From the time 1992, when Mr. Deb Kr. Basu took the rein of this organisation , Mr Ranjan Gupta was Jt. Secretary,after Mr. Basu his successor was Dr. Jagannath Ghosh, and this organization was like a personal office. According their whims they used to run it. They even did not know the aim and charter of International PEN. Many things they had done were against Freedom of Expression and charter of International PEN.

Mr. Ranjan Gupta had no idea when International PEN started and where, they used to say pen started in sweden in 1905! see the link

http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2008/09/in-search-of-history-all-indian-pen.html
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/04/history-of-pen-in-bengali-for-bengali.html

http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2008/09/in-search-of-history-all-indian-pen.html
http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/04/grievance-against-all-india-pen-center.html
from 2007 I had started my mission to spread the word of International PEN and its charter and started blogging on Freedom of Expression, distributed printed papers. I was not a member then. and I became a member and promoted to an executive. Now this is my reward.

Should I leave this organisation? I cant think of, because it is my Love and labour. I need your view. Please write: albertashok at yahoo dot com




click the image for enlarged size and then push back key

Posted by Albert Ashok

Sunil Ganguly Discusses India's Academy of Literature

Sunil Ganguly

Mr. Sunil Ganguly, a top-ranking poet and novelist of India is the current President of India's Sahitya Academy (Academy of Literature).

In the 60 years of the Academy's history, Mr. Ganguly is the second President from West Bengal. In this interview, Mr. Ganguly explained the role of the Academy in creating a bridge between the many different races, languages and literature of India.

Apart from giving the annual prestigious literary award to eminent poets and novelists of different Indian languages, the Academy translates literature from one Indian language to others By publishing these works, it connects literary personalities of different states of India.

Mr. Ganguly acknowledged that due to a dearth of English translations of Indian literature, the richness and wealth of Indian literary treasure is yet to be internationally known. The Academy, he said, is aware of this sad aspect and will try hard to translate Indian literary works in to English and other European languages.

SOURCE: http://www.voanews.com/bangla/2009-07-13-voa6.cfm

By Asim Chakrabarti
Washington DC
13-July-2009

Mr Sunil Ganguly is also chairman of West Bengal Chapter of All India PEN Center of International PEN

- Albert Ashok

Writers Unite for Liu Xiaobo

Free Liu Xiaobo

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Online petition - Free Liu Xiaobo






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A letter from PEN America, I want to share this with you, because we believe in 'Freedom of Expression' can lead this world to a better position, peace, harmony and understanding.
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Dear Friend,

You are receiving this message because you added your name to PEN’s petition calling for the release of writer, intellectual, and past Independent Chinese PEN Center President Liu Xiaobo. Recently we learned that Liu is going to be tried on charges that could result in a 15-year prison term. I am now asking you to add your voice to the chorus of Liu’s supporters around the world by sending a letter to Chinese authorities protesting the charges and urging his immediate release.

On June 23, 2009, Liu Xiaobo was removed from the undisclosed location where he had been held for over six months, formally arrested, and charged with “inciting subversion of state power” for his role in the drafting of Charter 08, a manifesto calling for greater human rights and democracy in China. That groundbreaking document, initially signed by 303 individuals on the eve of Human Rights Day, now boasts over 8,500 signatures of Chinese citizens from all walks of life, despite constant threats from authorities.

What we need now is an outpouring of letters and other communications to let the Chinese government know that the world will not sit idly by while an innocent man, guilty only of peacefully using the power of the written word, goes to prison. Please send a letter to Chinese authorities calling for Liu’s release. A sample letter follows. You can also write an op-ed or letter to the editor of your local paper describing the onslaught against Liu Xiaobo and freedom of expression in China . Check out Liu’s case page, as well as PEN’s China campaign page for more information on the situation.

With your help, we can free Liu Xiaobo.

Sincerely,

Larry Siems

Director, Freedom to Write and International Programs

PEN American Center

8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888Petition:

Published by PEN American Center on Feb 04, 2009

Category: Human Rights

Region: GLOBAL

Target: President Hu Jintao

Web site: http://www.pen.org/china

Background (Preamble):

On December 8, 2008, authorities arrested prominent writer and PEN Member Liu Xiaobo after he co-authored Charter 08, a manifesto calling for greater freedoms and democracy in China, which was signed by hundreds citizens from all walks of life.

Liu was formally arrested and charged with "inciting subversion of state power" on June 23, 2009. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. His case illustrates the lengths the Chinese government will still go to stifle free expression, and the determination of Chinese writers to fight for this most basic right. We stand with them in their struggle.

Take action now to help free Liu Xiaobo and send a message to the Chinese government that words are not a crime.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/free-liu-xiaobo.html

We, the undersigned, support PEN in its call for the release of Liu Xiaobo, prominent dissident writer, former President and current Board member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center, who has been detained since December 8, 2008 for signing Charter 08, a declaration calling for political reforms and human rights. Liu Xiaobo was held at an undisclosed location in Beijing without charge until June 23, 2009, when he formally arrested and charged with “inciting subversion of state power."

Liu Xiaobo is among a large number of dissidents to have been detained or harassed after issuing an open letter calling on the National People’s Congress Standing Committee to ratify the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and launching Charter 08. These activities formed part of campaigns across China to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (December 10th), and the Charter has now been signed by more than 8,500 scholars, journalists, freelance writers, and activists. PEN reports that nearly all of the original 300 signatories have since been detained or harassed.

PEN considers Liu Xiaobo to be held solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to free expression, and therefore in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory, as well as Article 35 of the Chinese Constitution.

We join PEN in demanding his immediate and unconditional release, and the release of all those currently detained in the People’s Republic of China for the peaceful expression of their opinions.

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http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/3009/prmID/1610

TAKE ACTION: Send an Appeal for Liu Xiaobo

Please send an appeal to Chinese President Hu Jintao and Procurator General Cao Jianming calling for the release of writer and prominent PEN member Liu Xiaobo. We recommend using two methods of sending your appeal in order to ensure your voice is heard:

1. Send an email. Click here to personalize and send the below letter to Chinese officials. If a formatted email does not pop up in your email program, copy and paste the below letter and email it to info@china.org.cn and web@spp.gov.cn with a cc to ftw@pen.org.

2. Send a letter. Copy and personalize the following letter to your personal or instituational letterhead and send via post to the addresses provided. Postage to China is $0.98.

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[Date]

His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China

Mr. Cao Jianming
Procurator General
Supreme People's Procuratorate
No. 147, Beiheyan Dajie
Dongcheng District, Beijing 100726
P.R. China

Your Excellencies,

I am writing to protest the detention of prominent writer and former president and current board member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center Liu Xiaobo.

I understand that on December 8, 2008, police arrested Liu Xiaobo and searched his home and confiscated computers and other materials. He was held at an undisclosed location for more than six months under “residential surveillance” before being formally arrested and charged with “inciting subversion of state power” on June 23, 2009. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison. He is among a number of activists to have been targeted after launching Charter 08, a declaration outlining political reforms and calling for greater human rights. The manifesto, signed by more than 300 scholars, journalists and freelance writers, was released on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, commemorated every year on December 10.

I respectfully urge you facilitate Liu Xiaobo’s immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

[Your name and address]

CC:
Larry Siems
Director, Freedom to Write and International Programs
PEN American Center
588 Broadway, Suite 303
New York, NY 10012

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Professional Background Liu Xiaobo is a renowned literary critic, writer, and political activist based in Beijing. He served as President of the Independent Chinese PEN Center from 2003 to 2007 and currently holds a seat on its board. Liu Xiaobo was a professor at Beijing Normal University and has worked as a visiting scholar at several universities outside of China, including the University of Oslo, the University of Hawaii, and Columbia University in New York City. Current Status Liu Xiaobo was formally arrested on June 23, 2009 by the Beijing Public Security Bureau and charged with “inciting subversion of state power” for co-authoring Charter 08, a declaration calling for political reform, greater human rights, and an end to one-party rule in China that has been signed by hundreds of individuals from all walks of life throughout the country. He had been detained on December 8, 2008 and held for six months and two weeks under “residential surveillance” while police gathered evidence on his case. He is still being held at an undisclosed location in Beijing, but will likely be moved to a formal detention center soon. Liu Xia, Liu Xiaobo’s wife, has only been permitted to visit him twice, he has not had access to a lawyer and he has been denied writing materials in detention. If convicted of the subversion charge, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

Case History In the spring of 1989, Liu Xiaobo left his post at Columbia University and returned to Beijing to play a crucial role in the spreading pro-democracy movement, staging a hunger strike in Tiananmen Square in support of the students and leading calls for a truly broad-based, sustainable democratic movement. He was instrumental in preventing even further bloodshed in the Square by supporting and advancing a call for non-violence on the part of the students. He spent two years in prison for his role, and another three years of “reeducation through labor” in 1996 for publicly questioning the role of the single-party system and calling for dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama of Tibet. In 2004, Liu’s phone lines and Internet connection were cut after the release of his essay criticizing the use of “subversion” charges used to silence journalists and activists, and he has been the target of regular police surveillance and harassment in the years since. Just after 9:00 p.m. on December 8, 2008, before the formal release of Charter 08, police arrived at the Beijing homes of Liu and fellow activist Zhang Zuhua. At 11:00 p.m., they took both men away and searched their homes, confiscating computers and other materials. His arrest occurred during a period of several sensitive anniversaries, including the 100-year anniversary of the promulgation of China’s first constitution, the 60-year anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the 30-year anniversary of Beijing’s “Democracy Wall” movement. While Zhang Zuhua was released the following morning, Liu Xiaobo remains in detention. He was held incommunicado until December 31, when he was finally permitted a visit from his wife. Since Liu Xiaobo’s arrest, nearly all of the 300 original signatories of Charter 08 have been interrogated in a push to gather evidence against him and crack down on free expression in China.

PEN Press Releases

June 24, 2009:
Writers Condemn Formal Arrest of Chinese Colleague Liu Xiaobo

June 16, 2009:
More than Six Months on, Liu Xiaobo Remains in Detention

April 29, 2009:
Prominent Writer Liu Xiaobo Honored in New York

April 16, 2009:
Liu Xiaobo to Receive Top PEN Honor

March 31, 2009:
Beijing Writer, PEN VP Jiang Qisheng Detained for Charter 08

February 21, 2009:
Writers Decry Detentions During Clinton Visit to China

February 17, 2009:
Writer Tohti Tunyaz Released From Prison in China a Week Before Clinton Visit

January 20, 2009:
World Authors Call on Chinese Authorities to Release Liu Xiaobo

January 19, 2009:
International PEN protests the continued detention of Liu Xiaobo

December 12, 2008:
Liu Xiaobo Is Indivisible From Us: A Statement by Signatories of Charter 08

December 9, 2008:
Leading PEN Member Liu Xiaobo Detained in China on Eve of Human Rights Day

October 17, 2008:
PEN: Signs “Discouraging” for Post-Olympics Human Rights Improvements in China


Liu Xiaobo's Writing

The internet is God's present to China
from Times Online


Additional Online Resources

The Poet in an Unknown Prison
by Liu Xia
from The New York Review of Books

Where is China heading?
by Tania Branigan and Dan Chung
from The Guardian

Manifesto on Freedom Set's China's Persecution Machinery in Motion
by Michael Wines
from the New York Times

Chinese Dissident Liu Xiaobo to Receive Prestigious Award
by Jane Macartney
from Times Online

Honoring Liu Xiaobo: 5 Reasons Why What Happens To Arrested Chinese Writer Liu Matters To Everyone
by Larry Siems
from Huffington Post

Letter from the Consortium for the Release of Liu Xiaobo to China's President Hu Jintao
by Nadine Gordimer, Seamus Heaney, Salman Rushdie, Wole Soyinka, et al
from Human Rights Watch

Petition Urges China to Free Dissident
by Edward Wong
from The New York Times

Beijing Clamps Down After Call for Democracy
by Austin Ramzy
from TIME

Charter 08
Translated by Perry Link
from The New York Review of Books

source:

http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/3029/prmID/172

http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/1527

Writers for Freedom of Expression in China

When China was bidding for the Olympics in 2001, the Chinese government made explicit promises to improve its human rights record. But the Olympics have come and gone, with little or no progress for freedom of expression in China. Chinese writers continue to be censored, harassed, and imprisoned throughout the country. More writers are imprisoned now than ever before. In December 2008, authorities arrested prominent PEN Member Liu Xiaobo after he co-authored a manifesto calling for greater freedoms and democracy in China, which was signed by hundreds citizens from all walks of life. Liu is being held on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power.” If convicted, he faces at least three years in prison. His case illustrates the lengths the Chinese government will still go to stifle free expression, and the determination of Chinese writers to fight for this most basic right. We stand with them in their struggle.

China: Dissident and literary scholar Liu Xiaobo

Released on June 24, 2009

Amnesty International condemns the formal arrest of prominent scholar and activist Liu Xiaobo on suspicion of "inciting subversion of state power" on 23 June. The People's Daily reported that police accused Liu Xiaobo of activities such as "spreading of rumours and defaming of the government, aimed at subversion of the state and overthrowing the socialism system in recent years".

"These charges against Liu Xiaobo seem to stem from his support for Charter 08, which actually calls for many of the same human rights protections that were reiterated in China's first ever National Human Rights Action Plan," said Roseann Rife, Asia-Pacific Deputy Program Director at Amnesty International. "His arrest follows a series of crackdowns on activists around the 20th Tiananmen anniversary and intensified control of internet use which only demonstrates the authorities' lack of commitment to and total disregard for the goals of the Action Plan."

"This use of state security charges to punish activists for merely expressing their views must stop," said Rife. "This is another act of desperation by a regime that is terrified of public opinion."

Liu Xiaobo was seized from his home in Beijing by the police on December 8, two days before the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the original launch date of Charter 08, a blueprint stemming from civil society's calls for fundamental legal and political reform in China. In violation of the Criminal Procedure Law, the police failed to give his family information about where Liu was detained and to provide a detention notice within 24 hours. The police then placed him under "residential surveillance", a form of house arrest with a maximum six-month limit, without charge, access to a lawyer or any due process for more than six months.

"The authorities must drop the politically-motivated prosecution against Liu Xiaobo who merely peacefully exercised his rights to freedom of expression. He should be released immediately and unconditionally."

The Chinese authorities must also stop the ongoing harassment, detention, prosecution and imprisonment of Chinese human rights defenders and activists who are also peacefully exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and association.

BACKGROUND

Charter 08, initially signed by approximately 300 Chinese scholars, lawyers and officials, proposes a blueprint for fundamental legal and political reform in China, with the goal of a democratic system that respects human rights. Charter 08 was launched on 9 December 2008. Since then numerous signatories have been questioned and harassed by Chinese authorities.

Liu Xiaobo is a well-known scholar who was arbitrarily detained twice previously for his writings and his support of the democracy movement in 1989 and spent several years in detention.

source : http://www.amnesty.org.hk/html/node/10330

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/24/china-human-rights

Posted by Albert Ashok

The other side of Taslima

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I am an executive member of West Bengal PEN chapter till today, but the writings that I have written here donot represent the PEN west Bengal Chapter in any way. Like other human being, I am also made of blood, flesh and emotion. Beyond this organisation, the PEN West Bengal chapter I am also an individual and I have my expressions on some on going events. So, read it as Albert Ashok's personal view and expression, I do not and never represent any writings for this organisation that I belong. I donot give any credit to the west Bengal PEN chapter. because The secretary of the organisation has other means of publication, they donot use this blog. From the beginning I have been collecting news/ information from different sources and publish here for the benefit of writers and common people, and credit goes to the source of information where from I collect it excluding my personal views.

I started this blog when I was not a member. My purpose was to project the news of The P.E.N. and its centers from West Bengal. It is very hard to face always fear and anxiety and rendering a service for greater world - Albert Ashok

I have another blog for pen news :

http://penreporter.blogspot.com/

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The other side of Ms. Taslima Nasrin the feminist writer

Ms Nasrin has some misconception about PEN West Bengal, she is angry because Indian government could not provide adequate security for her stay in India. So, she wants a revenge and made a complain to an international organization without context and provocation on 22^nd june 2009, in a time when it is very critical to West Bengal chapter of Indian PEN center for some reason. The mail is published here. This is a reply to Ms. Nasrin's mail.

It all started one day when I came to pick up an email of Taslima Nasrin from a website page of International PEN in 2008, (probably) month of May.( so far I can remember)

As my occupation is writing books and a stark defender of ‘Freedom of Expression’ it was my policy to defend and keep a vigil all the charters of UN covenant. I made many blogs where I post all the news that Article 19, IFEX, and PEN International and its centers world wide and other sources publish. I do it by my own pocket money, I could have used my time and my money enjoying my life as it is my hard earned money. I am a freelancer, I have no job guarantee, I have my family. I can give my son something he need for his study. But I think I am doing something great for this world, like me there are many people ( in comparison, very few numbers in thousand) doing and thinking this. This is the way how the world moves. So, if you expect more how shall I give you. Be contented what you are having.

Ms. Nasrin was in problem and in trouble. International PEN had an appeal to Indian government to look into Ms. Nasrin’s Problem. Someone has to take initiatives to support or defend her cause. I stepped forward; I told my PEN members/ colleagues in West Bengal. We had a discussion as how to help her. We have no fund to start action and campaign. We decided personally we shall try our best level, influence people and do the necessary according our strength, and we did it for Ms. Taslima Nasrin.

The intellectuals in Kolkata, West Bengal, personally have defended ‘taslima’ the woman, and made speech in favour of her through different Media. Its recorded documents.

From early 1993, probably when she started attacking some persons (not the system) in media in the name of literature, from then on I had a close observation on her ( my sentiment is after all she is a writer I should defend her) like many defenders of Freedom of Expression. I have stored many important published news from different sources in my collection. From Hanifa Deen’s (an Australian author of Pakistani origin, ) ‘The crescent and the pen’ to many assorted news journals and her books. So, with out document I hardly speak.

Mr Sunil Gangopadhyay to Madam Mahasweta Devi, many came down to street to defend her. Our late president of All India PEN center, Mr Annada Shankar Roy had taken many initiatives to support Taslima in 1994, and it is a published news document. How come she says a lie to an international body! Is it a conspiracy to degrade a community and attract the attention of media, fooling all?

What you see is not the whole world, beyond your knowledge the world does exist too, it has the rest massive part. You are an ignorant, irresponsible and small creature when you make a comment what you do not know.

I sent a mail to Ms. Nasrin who is exhorting polygamy in society through interviews in media,as a feminists view, she retorted me: She replied on Saturday, 3 May, 2008

i did not know there was a PEN in west bengal. did you do anything when the west bengal government threw a writer out of the state?

(The exact mail with out editing what she sent to me)

I assured her in my mail a strong support next day.

After then I tried to keep a communication with her but she found she has no interest in us. Because this Bengal ( including Bangladesh) know her critically.

The western countries are very busy how they would expose themselves above all as a big champion of freedom of expression and Human rights, they don’t judge what they are doing in most cases.

Is there any precaution or punishment for those who abuse the rights freedom of Expression?

Do you think Freedom of Expression is for killing millions? Hurting millions? All pornography writings? Waging wars? Rioting ? Communal disharmony?

This question has arisen in me.

All I knew we want a better world. Taslima Nasrin is not matched with Salman Rushdie, We defended him for his good literature.

In early 90 when Lajja was published it was not a literary work, it is not that the fact she wrote, many criticized about her writing skill, many said it was not literature. Many individuals and organisations, the defenders of ‘Freedom of Expression’, supported many writers, reporters who were not like Ms. Taslima Nasrin.

Does she not wear the title as irresponsible, ungrateful and stupid woman when she says to International PEN ( the following mail ) :

Hi Caroline !

I just cant resist myself to inform you that during my stay in Kolkata, (West Bengal, India) the government of West Bengal banned my book called 'Dwikhandito', a several fatwa was issued against me by the Muslim fundamentalists, they set price on my head, i was physically attacked by the fanatics, I was forced to live under house arrest by the the government, after a violent protest against my stay in Kolkata I was bundled out of Kolkata which was my home for 4 years ( 2004-2007), I was again forced to live in solitary confinement in Delhi, and finally I was thrown out of India by the Indian government. A writer, because of her writings, and because of her views that are different than the extremists has been banished, banned and blacklisted in the ''largest democracy'', and PEN kolkata did not do anything to protest against the fatwas, or attacks or harassment.

I don't think PEN is at all a known organisation in Kolkata.

I am now having a nomadic existence in the West, living out of a suitcase. My home is still in Kolkata, and I am not allowed to return to my home.

I hope you will try to find some efficient writers to be involved in PEN kolkata who can support the persecuted writers.

Best,

Taslima

Because of PEN centers she is enjoying a VIP status, (she has exploited a lot people’s sentiment, we become emotional easily and illogically sometime!)

Ms. Taslima Nasrin is Bangladeshi national, she has lived there all her life,Bangladesh has a PEN centers of International PEN, did she ever complain against the center to International PEN or somewhere else because it could not provide security? Or is she taking revenge that we could not do adequate arrangement for her shelter in India? So far I know Indian government has extended her Visa, but she is free to speak a lie.

Or Is she exercising her freedom of expression this way? Or does she think it is a way to earn more dollar and live in news? Sometimes artists and writers do this intentionally its a trend to live in news.

Do feminists think it is her expression of feminism?

By the comment above she made, she did not insulted only the Bengal in India, the Bangladesh also will feel insulted and appreciate what a ungrateful genius it has brought forth.

Every one in a country is not a evil. Most people are good and can be trusted.

Stop Ms. Nasrin, commenting untrue and lies. You are creating a hostile environment in Bengal. If possible please, co operate us, to help the dissidents and persecuted writers. We, who defend you don’t discourage us, don’t steal our ground beneath our feet to stand for Freedom of Expression. This is our self willed service not by the fund of any generous or philanthropic organization. And West Bengal PEN chapter always a follower of International PEN, It works according its own strength.

Your comment the Bengal will keep as a treasure and remember you for ever.

I don’t think doing this you will earn more from the ignorant westerners.

Your comment has put us in an embarrassing position, it gave us pain and deep wound as a reward and in face of our hard working voluntary service. The damage you have done to us you can never restore.

We request the government of Bangladesh where she was born to treat her properly and secure her living, and Ms Taslima should return to her homeland where she can fight her cause and mission. We wish her the best.

I have studied Ms. Taslima Nasrin’s a few years ( 1993 to 2009), I can not resist to tell all about her rise and western countries should know her well so that she will get more comfort all over the world. I shall post it with in few weeks. Promise.

http://penwestbengal.blogspot.com/2009/08/wrong-number-of-feminism.html

writen and posted by Albert Ashok