On 5 February 2016, English PEN and PEN International received word from our colleagues at Kurdish PEN that their centre in Sur Amed (Diyarbakir) had been attacked. PEN International has published the following statement.

PEN International is currently seeking further information about the circumstances of this attack. In the meantime, it calls on the Turkish authorities to carry out a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the attack, bring anyone responsible for any crime relating to the attack to justice and to ensure that all Kurdish PEN members are protected from harm and are able to exercise their right to peaceful free expression.

English PEN joins PEN International in calling for a prompt investigation.