Creative Witnesses: How you can help
If you were moved or inspired by Creative Witnesses, there are many ways you can help show solidarity and bring hope to writers at risk.
Give to support PEN’s work
Writers at risk rely on PEN to advocate for their freedom and to defy those who want to silence them. From practical support for writers seeking asylum or in exile, to using our platforms to share their words, to putting pressure on the powerful – this work is only possible with your support.
Give to PEN today so that Abdel, Sanaa, İlhan and other writers are not forgotten
Call for Sanaa’s release
Sanaa Seif, Egyptian film-maker and writer, has been in prison since June 2020 for investigation for offences including ‘false news’ and ‘terrorism’. Her detention is related to her activism on behalf of her imprisoned brother, Alaa Abd El Fattah, and for other political prisoners.
Sign this petition for her release now
Keep Abdel’s poetry alive
Sudanese poet Abdel Wahab Yousif died in August when a rubber boat packed with African immigrants sank into the sea shortly after setting off from Libya to Europe.
Discover Grup Yorum
This multi-million-selling Turkish band were prosecuted with terrorism for their right to free expression. Two band members died in jail after a hunger strike.
Watch and share this documentary and İbrahim Gökçek's last article and connect with the band on Twitter or Instagram
Write to Ilhan in prison
Ilhan Çomak was arrested in 1994 as a 22-year-old geography student at the University of Istanbul. He denies the charges against him and says he only confessed under torture. He has been imprisoned ever since.
Show your solidarity with a letter to: Ilhan Sami Çomak, Silivri High Security Prison, F9 ALT, SILIVRI, İSTANBUL, TURKEY
Find out more of his case and read & share his poetry
Stand with writers in Belarus – and worldwide
Arrested, harassed and imprisoned for taking part in peaceful protests, writers in Belarus are at the forefront of the movement for democracy. They are not alone. Writers around the world take risks every day in the name of freedom.
Support the Belarusian Arts and Culture community.
Follow us
Follow us on Twitter to find out how you can stand with writers at risk