To mark this year’s World Poetry Day, English PEN and our colleagues from PEN centres across the globe are joining together to highlight the cases of some of our imprisoned colleagues. Please take a few moments to read their work, to send a message of support and to join the call for their release.
Chinese poet and artist Liu Xia, a founding member of the Independent Chinese PEN Centre, has been held under house arrest since her husband, fellow poet Liu Xiaobo, was named winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2010. #FreeLiuXia
Amanuel Asrat, an award-winning Eritrean poet, critic and editor-in-chief of the leading newspaper ዘመን (Zemen), was arrested at his home September 2001. More than fifteen years later there is still no news of his whereabouts. #FreeAsrat
Poet Dareen Tatour is currently under house arrest and standing trial on charges of ‘support for a terrorist organisation’ and several counts of incitement to violence in connection with her poetry and social media activity. #FreeDareen
English PEN will also be highlighting the cases of detained poets Amanuel Asrat, Liu Xia and Dareen Tatour at this year’s English PEN Modern Literature Festival, curated by SJ Fowler. Join us on 1 April to see original performances in solidarity with them and other writers at risk from across the world from Elizabeth Jane-Burnett, matt martin, and Camilla Nelson.