Nobel Literature Prize Postponed Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

Swedish Academy (CC BY-SA 4.0)

PEN International welcomes The Swedish Academy’s decision to postpone giving the Nobel Prize this year as a sign that they are taking action to address and investigate to the fullest shocking allegations of sexual harassment.

'The reputation of this great prize is at stake and to lose it would be a profound loss to world literature,' said Jennifer Clement, President of PEN International.

'After the recent events the Swedish Academy has a steep hill to climb before their reputation and standard can be reset, but it is a necessary process,' said Jesper Bengtsson, President of PEN Sweden.

In light of these events, we underscore that PEN International is committed to furthering and safeguarding women's rights and freedoms. In March PEN launched its Women's Manifesto, a set of principles that aim to protect free expression for women by combating and eliminating the silencing of women worldwide, whether through censorship, harassment, or violence. Read more about the Women's Manifesto here:

http://pen-international.org/w...