World Poetry Day: take action for imprisoned poet Ashraf Fayadh

On 2 February 2016, English PEN welcomed the news that the death sentence handed down to poet and artist Ashraf Fayadh had been overturned. We were nevertheless extremely disappointed to learn that the court had ordered a harsh new sentence of eights years and 800 lashes.

In the run-up to World Poetry Day on 21 March, English PEN and our sister centres around the world are continuing to call for Ashraf Fayadh’s immediate and unconditional release. Please join us by taking one of the actions suggested below.

English PEN will be continuing to campaign for Ashraf Fayadh throughout 2016, or until his release from prison, through our regular vigils at the Saudi Embassy in London. Ashraf is also among the international writers to be featured at the inaugural English PEN Modern Literature Festival in April 2016, for which he has been paired with poet and Guardian first book ward-winner Andrew McMillan. His poetry will also be performed at the Ledbury Poetry Festival in July 2016 as part of our annual Poetry as Protest Initiative.

For further background information, visit the PEN International website.