Author Archives: editor

Dear ICPC Members and Supporters, Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Greetings and good wishes from New York!

I address you as the President of the PEN American Center, but above all as a colleague in a great multi-national community of literary men and women, who recognize the importance of literature for people of every nation. Your work for free expression in China has the support of readers and writers of many nations, in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, through the international PEN Family. We are all proud of the work you do. We have tried in every way we can to support it. We will continue to do so. Continue reading →

Dear distinguished guests, our colleagues of PEN,

I am most honored to be here to see all of you at the 2nd conference of ICPC to be held in Hong Kong. Indeed, it is not easy for all of us to get together here, but our common goal was the real driving force and made it possible for us to attend this epoch-making event.

Also, I would like to express our deepest support wholeheartedly on behalf of PEN International for what all members of ICPC have been working. You have achieved so many things with proven evidence, which of course, helped to strengthen our solidarity and faith in our Pen activities particularly for WIPC.

I firmly believe that progress for open society can only be achieved and embraced by fighting for the freedom of expression. Freedom of expression and human rights are the fundamental standard for justice and trust to any government. Continue reading →

Dear Friends, Dear Members of the Independent Chinese PEN Centre,

Congratulations on your 10th Anniversary. I am very sorry not to have been able to join you. However, it is good to know that Hori Takeaki, our International Secretary, is there representing all of us; as well as Joanne Leedom-Ackerman, International Vice-President; and Marian Bostford Fraser, Chair of the Writers in Prison Committee.

Your members have shown enormous courage over the last decade as they have persisted in standing up for literature and freedom of expression. These are the fundamental beliefs which all PEN members around the world share with you. They lie at the heart of our Charter. I personally want to tell you how much I admire this courage which has brought tragedy, imprisonment and persecution to so many of your members. All of us stand in solidarity with you. With this persistence and continuing courage I am convinced that you will play an essential role in helping to change the situation in China so that you will be able to exercise your rights as writers within your home country. And we will be there to support you.

All best wishes on your celebration,

John Ralston Saul
International President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Sarah Hoffman, PEN American Center, +852 64730864, [email protected]
Patrick Poon, Independent Chinese PEN Center, +852 94173765, [email protected]

Independent Chinese PEN Center Celebrates Tenth Anniversary in Shadow of Escalating Repression

Members Harassed, Prevented from Attending PEN Events
Continue reading →