Campaigns
World Poetry Day 2026: Take Action for Duannis León Taboada
PEN International is taking action for Duannis Dabel León Taboada — a young Cuban poet serving a 14-year prison sentence following his participation in the July 2021 protests.
From 21 March to 17 April, join PEN International in calling on the Cuban authorities to release Duannis Dabel León Taboada immediately and unconditionally, and to guarantee his safety, dignity, and access to adequate medical care while he remains in detention.
Protecting Imprisoned Writers
Each year, PEN International marks the Day of the Imprisoned Writer to highlight writers jailed or persecuted for their words and to mobilise global solidarity for their release. From 15 November, we take action for individual cases that exemplify the urgent threats to freedom of expression.
Protecting Linguistic Rights
We are committed to the respect of all languages, and the protection and promotion of indigenous or minoritised languages.
Every year on 21 February, PEN International joins other organisations advocating for linguistic rights via International Mother Language Day to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
Protecting Women Writers
PEN International marks International Women’s Day (8 March) by championing women and gender-diverse writers facing persecution, upholding our Women’s Manifesto, and challenging censorship, imprisonment, and violence against women in literature.
Our campaigns often focus on taking action for specific writers, including Gulgeş Deryaspî, Meral Şimşek, and Amanda Echanis.
Day of the Dead
Each year, PEN International launches a Day of the Dead campaign to honour journalists murdered in Latin America over the past year.
From 31 October to 13 November, we remember media editors, columnists and journalists who were killed in possible connection with their work.