PEN International strongly condemns the decision of the Nazareth Magistrate's Court to convict Palestinian poet Dareen Tatour of ‘support for a terrorist organization’ and ‘incitement to violence’. The conviction is mainly related to a YouTube video in which she recites one of her poems entitled, ‘Qawim ya sha’abi, qawimhum (Resist, my people, resist them).’

PEN International President Jennifer Clement, who met Dareen Tatour at her home in Nazareth last year, said:

“Dareen Tatour has been convicted for doing what writers do every day – we use our words to peacefully challenge injustice. I was incredibly honoured to meet Dareen at her home last year and PEN will continue to call for justice in this case.”
 
PEN believes that Dareen Tatour was targeted for her poetry and peaceful activism, and has been campaigning for her immediate release and for the charges against her to be dropped. A sentencing hearing will take place on the 31st of May.

Further updates to follow.