Online solidarity after attack on the office of the French publication Charlie Hebdo in Paris<\/p>\n
(7th January 2015) PEN International and 47 PEN Centres around the world condemn the unprecedented attack on the office of the French publication Charlie Hebdo in Paris today in which 12 people died and seven were injured.<\/p>\n
This is not the first time that journalists, editors, writers, cartoonists and translators have been targeted for expressing opinions that may offend, outrage or shock sections of society. But there has never been an assault on such a scale in Europe. There can be no justification for using violence to silence or intimidate those who speak out, no matter how offensive their views.<\/p>\n
In the face of such violence, it is incumbent on all governments and religious leaders to strengthen their commitment to press freedom and to safeguard freedom of expression as a fundamental human right. This attack must be investigated promptly and impartially in accordance with international standards and the perpetrators brought to justice.<\/p>\n
John Ralston Saul, President of PEN International said: \u201cPEN is appalled by today\u2019s savage attack on Charlie Hebdo. Today the entire PEN family stands in solidarity with journalists in France, and all over the world, who are increasingly subjected to violence for exercising their right to freedom of expression.\u201d<\/p>\n
Condemning the cowardly attack on the office of the magazine, Jean-Luc Despax, President of French PEN said: \u201cDespite this atrocious act, freedom of expression remains intact, whether expressed through art, satire or analysis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Further comments from PEN Centres and members:<\/p>\n
Sofi Oksanen, Finnish PEN member said, \u201cToo often we living in democratic states take freedom of expression granted. It\u2019s not. It\u2019s something we need to defend and protect every day and it means zero-tolerance to every action trying to diminish it.<\/p>\n
Now it\u2019s our duty to make sure the terrorists will be brought to justice and it\u2019s also our duty to make sure that discussion about the importance of freedom of expression will be in front line also in countries where we take it for granted. It\u2019s also our duty to make sure that terrorist attacks won\u2019t lead to self-censorship or censorship by art-sponsors and institutions. That would undermine the basic elements of democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Salman Rushdie, English PEN member noted, \u201cReligion, a mediaeval form of unreason, when combined with modern weaponry becomes a real threat to our freedoms. This religious totalitarianism has caused a deadly mutation in the heart of Islam and we see the tragic consequences in Paris today. I stand with Charlie Hebdo, as we all must, to defend the art of satire, which has always been a force for liberty and against tyranny, dishonesty and stupidity. \u201cRespect for religion\u201d has become a code phrase meaning \u201cfear of religion.\u201d Religions, like all other ideas, deserve criticism, satire, and, yes, our fearless disrespect.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hanan al-Shaykh, stated: \u201cWhen we were young, a religious scholar in our neighbourhood in Beirut used to advise us, whenever he saw us playing in the street, to \u2018Go and study!\u2019 When we yelled back with a united voice, \u2018But we have finished studying!\u2019 he\u2019d reply that we should open a book and read. And if he had known what the future had in store for us, he might have added, \u2018And write, write anything you feel like writing\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n
So, I say, \u2018Yes, write whatever the tyrants of the mind would have you erase, and what fundamentalists warn will guarantee you a place in hell. Write to make the enemies of freedom gasp for breath\u2026\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Maureen Freely, President, English PEN said: \u201cToday we are all horrified, devastated and appalled. But tomorrow we must look for new ways to stand together with writers and artists of all backgrounds and faiths and take courage from our shared commitment to free speech.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peter Godwin, President of PEN American Center said: \u201cWe are sickened and shocked by this atrocious attack. The right to criticize \u2013 even in a manner some may find offensive \u2013 is vital to all free and democratic societies, and writers and artists around the world must unite to protect freedom of expression against this cowardly and deplorable act.\u201d<\/p>\n
PEN Turkey condemned the \u201cViolent attack which killed not only our friends \u2013 journalists and caricaturists, but also threatens our freedom of thought and expression. Today, we are all Charlie Hebdo.\u201d<\/p>\n
PEN Quebec, in the name of its members and all writers from Quebec, \u201ccondemns the slaughter of our colleague\u2019s from the magazine Charlie Hebdo. We join the global literary community, and all those who reject violence and wish to live in freedom and to express their views and thoughts freely\u201d.<\/p>\n
Hyam Yared, President of PEN Lebanon said: \u201cNous, \u00e9crivains libanais, issus d\u2019un pays o\u00f9 le pluri-confessionnalisme a permis, malgr\u00e9 tous les al\u00e9as politiques, la libre expression des identit\u00e9s de chacun sans pour autant abuser de notre droit \u00e0 l\u2019alt\u00e9rit\u00e9, sommes constern\u00e9s par cette vague de violence et de radicalit\u00e9 qui s\u2019exprimentpartout au Moyen-Orient, au Liban, en Syrie, en Egypte, en Occident, et dont nos confr\u00e8res, journalistes et employ\u00e9s de Charlie Hebdo ont pay\u00e9 le prix, assassin\u00e9s apr\u00e8s avoir re\u00e7u \u00e0 plusieurs reprises par le pass\u00e9 menaces et intimidations\u201d En savoir plus ici.<\/p>\n
Teresa Salema Cadete, President of the Portuguese PEN Centre\u201c: PEN is always a part of the daily struggle for democracy and therefore a part of the target of its ennemies. Cartoons are one of the most necessary arts of the 21st Century because of their power of biting synthesis. Those coward acts of violence shows how we all must leave our comfort zones to defend our principles and practices in the community of solidary freedom of expression.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drew Campbell President, Scottish PEN: \u201cThe murders in Paris were so shocking, so horrific we are almost at a loss for words \u2013 exactly what the perpetrators crave. But today we speak up. Freedom of expression \u2013 what the workers at Charlie Hebdo risked their lives for \u2013 must never be buried beneath fear and silence.\u201d Read the statement in full here.<\/p>\n
Sirpa K\u00e4hk\u00f6nen, chair of Finnish PEN: \u201cFinnish PEN is mourning for the dead and wounded in the Charlie Hebdo attack. The lines of free expression should be drawn in words, discussion and debate \u2013 not by guns and atrocities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Norwegian PEN President William Nygaard, said: \u201cThis is a gross attack on freedom of expression which is the core of our democracies,\u201d says . \u201cIt is also an attack on the free press and free journalism and it is important that the terrorist attack does not lead to self-censorship.\u201d Read more here.<\/p>\n
Nuestra solidaridad absoluta con las v\u00edctimas y sus familiares y repudio total a todo crimen de odio con sevicia, PEN HONDURAS. Dina Meza, Presidente. Eduardo B\u00e4hr, Secretario General<\/p>\n
Dr.Hanan Awwad, President Palestine PEN: \u201cIt is truly shocking act. In the name of all pPalestinepen members,friends and supporters,I condemn this act. As Palestinian who experience Occupation ,devoted time and efforts to defend freedom of expression and human dignity, view with deep sadness the attack against writers ,Magazine and culture as systemic determined deeds against freedom of expression and against the free word. Diversity,different opinion should create dialogue and understanding,not blood shed. The question is how the free writers can act and react in such situation?how our pens can survive in the time of violence and the lack of justice? We are living in a world of horror, only the pen can only the committed pen can change the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
PEN Club de Puerto Rico: \u201cLos miembros del PEN Club de Puerto Rico se sienten indignados con el abominable ataque al personal de las publicaciones Charlie Hebdo y a la libertad de expresi\u00f3n de lo periodistas y lo en general.\u201d<\/p>\n
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For further enquiries, please contact Sarah Clarke, International Policy and Advocacy Officer, on +44 (0)20 7405 0338 m. +44 (0) 7575 030028<\/p>\n
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