English PEN joins PEN International in strongly condemning the decision of the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court to convict Palestinian poet Dareen Tatour of ‚Äòsupport for a terrorist organisation‚Äô and ‚Äòincitement to violence‚Äô. The conviction is mainly related to a YouTube video in which she recites one of her poems entitled, ‚ÄòQawim ya sha‚Äôabi, qawimhum (Resist, my people, resist them).‚Äô

PEN International President Jennifer Clement, who met Dareen Tatour at her home in Nazareth last year, said:

Dareen Tatour has been convicted for doing what writers do every day – we use our words to peacefully challenge injustice. I was incredibly honoured to meet Dareen at her home last year and PEN will continue to call for justice in this case.

PEN believes that Dareen Tatour was targeted for her poetry and peaceful activism, and has been campaigning for her immediate release and for the charges against her to be dropped. A sentencing hearing will take place on the 3 May.

Further updates to follow.

TAKE ACTION

Spread the word

Share details of Dareen Tatour’s case with friends and colleagues and on social media. #FreeDareen

Write to the authorities

Please send appeals to the Israeli authorities calling for all charges against Dareen Tatour to be dropped.

Minister of Justice
Ayelet Shaked
Ministry of Justice
29 Salah al-Din Street Jerusalem, 91010, Israel
Fax: +972 2 628 5438
Email: [email protected] Salutation:
Dear Minister

And copies to: Attorney General
Avichai Mendelbilt
Ministry of Justice
29 Salah al-Din Street Jerusalem 91010, Israel
Fax: +972 2 530 3367