Aurélia Dondo
@amdondo.bsky.social
Head of Europe and Central Asia | PEN International
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
#Georgia: Tomorrow, Monday 26 January, Georgia’s human rights record is reviewed at the United Nations.
Read our joint submission with PEN Georgia and PEN America (@penamerica.bsky.social) on repressive laws and attacks on journalists, writers and artists.
www.pen-international.org/news/georgia...
Read our joint submission with PEN Georgia and PEN America (@penamerica.bsky.social) on repressive laws and attacks on journalists, writers and artists.
www.pen-international.org/news/georgia...
Georgia: UN submission highlights ruthless crackdown on fundamental rights — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
23 January 2026 – With the human rights record of Georgia coming under review at the United Nations on 26 January 2026, PEN Georgia, PEN International and PEN America reiterate urgent concerns over th...
www.pen-international.org
January 25, 2026 at 10:14 AM
#Georgia: Tomorrow, Monday 26 January, Georgia’s human rights record is reviewed at the United Nations.
Read our joint submission with PEN Georgia and PEN America (@penamerica.bsky.social) on repressive laws and attacks on journalists, writers and artists.
www.pen-international.org/news/georgia...
Read our joint submission with PEN Georgia and PEN America (@penamerica.bsky.social) on repressive laws and attacks on journalists, writers and artists.
www.pen-international.org/news/georgia...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
In the country of Georgia, the government is escalating its attacks on independent culture, press, and freedom of expression with impunity. Read our joint statement with PEN Georgia and @peninternational.bsky.social ahead of the country’s human rights review at the UN: pen.org/press-releas...
Georgia: UN Submission Highlights Ruthless Crackdown on Fundamental Rights
PEN America and affiliates reiterate urgent concerns over the Georgian authorities’ systematic onslaught on fundamental rights and independent voices, including in the cultural sphere.
pen.org
January 23, 2026 at 11:15 PM
In the country of Georgia, the government is escalating its attacks on independent culture, press, and freedom of expression with impunity. Read our joint statement with PEN Georgia and @peninternational.bsky.social ahead of the country’s human rights review at the UN: pen.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
#Türkiye: The hearing of @pensweden.bsky.social member Joakim Medin has been postponed to 7 May 2026. We reiterate calls for an end to his judicial harassment and for bogus terror-related charges to be dropped at once.
Read more on the case ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...
Read more on the case ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...
Türkiye: PEN member Joakim Medin to be tried in absentia — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
Update 8 January 2026: Joakim Medin’s hearing has been postponed to 7 May 2026. He continues to face years in prison on preposterous terrorism grounds. PEN International, PEN Sweden and PEN Norway c...
www.pen-international.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:57 PM
#Türkiye: The hearing of @pensweden.bsky.social member Joakim Medin has been postponed to 7 May 2026. We reiterate calls for an end to his judicial harassment and for bogus terror-related charges to be dropped at once.
Read more on the case ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...
Read more on the case ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/trkiye-...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
#Türkiye: We condemn the sentencing of writer and honorary PEN member Selahattin Demirtaş to yet another unjust prison term on ‘insult’ grounds and renew calls for his immediate release.
Read more from Middle East Online ⬇️
www.middle-east-online.com/en/turkish-c...
Read more from Middle East Online ⬇️
www.middle-east-online.com/en/turkish-c...
January 7, 2026 at 12:56 PM
#Türkiye: We condemn the sentencing of writer and honorary PEN member Selahattin Demirtaş to yet another unjust prison term on ‘insult’ grounds and renew calls for his immediate release.
Read more from Middle East Online ⬇️
www.middle-east-online.com/en/turkish-c...
Read more from Middle East Online ⬇️
www.middle-east-online.com/en/turkish-c...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
Aljaž Koprivnikar, speaking for @pen-tlrc.bsky.social
highlights the importance of respecting diverse languages and how translation can be used as a tool to build bridges between cultures.
Join our Indigenous and Minoritised languages Videopoems Marathon: www.pen-international.org/committee-ne...
highlights the importance of respecting diverse languages and how translation can be used as a tool to build bridges between cultures.
Join our Indigenous and Minoritised languages Videopoems Marathon: www.pen-international.org/committee-ne...
January 5, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Aljaž Koprivnikar, speaking for @pen-tlrc.bsky.social
highlights the importance of respecting diverse languages and how translation can be used as a tool to build bridges between cultures.
Join our Indigenous and Minoritised languages Videopoems Marathon: www.pen-international.org/committee-ne...
highlights the importance of respecting diverse languages and how translation can be used as a tool to build bridges between cultures.
Join our Indigenous and Minoritised languages Videopoems Marathon: www.pen-international.org/committee-ne...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
In this recent interview with Global Voices (@globalvoices.org), Ege Dündar (@ege-dundar.bsky.social) reflects on the work of the Young Writers Committee (@youngwriterspen.bsky.social) and the increasing importance of supporting emerging voices.
Read more ⬇️
globalvoices.org/2025/12/26/t...
Read more ⬇️
globalvoices.org/2025/12/26/t...
The Tomorrow Club aims to support and mentor young writers amid polarity and tech-driven chaos
“The youth should never believe that history is written only by the victors, or that it can be permanently manipulated through narrative wars.”
globalvoices.org
December 27, 2025 at 8:35 AM
In this recent interview with Global Voices (@globalvoices.org), Ege Dündar (@ege-dundar.bsky.social) reflects on the work of the Young Writers Committee (@youngwriterspen.bsky.social) and the increasing importance of supporting emerging voices.
Read more ⬇️
globalvoices.org/2025/12/26/t...
Read more ⬇️
globalvoices.org/2025/12/26/t...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
#Georgia: We welcome @echr.coe.int's landmark judgment in the case of Tsaava and Others v. #Georgia on the policing of protests and the protection of journalists, citing our joint intervention with PEN Georgia & English PEN.
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/georgia...
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/georgia...
Georgia: Ruling by the European Court of Human Rights on journalistic protections in the context of protest sets important precedent — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of E...
17 December 2025 – PEN International, PEN Georgia and English PEN welcome the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) judgment in the case of Tsaava and Others v. Georgia handed down on 11 D...
www.pen-international.org
December 18, 2025 at 10:28 AM
#Georgia: We welcome @echr.coe.int's landmark judgment in the case of Tsaava and Others v. #Georgia on the policing of protests and the protection of journalists, citing our joint intervention with PEN Georgia & English PEN.
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/georgia...
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/georgia...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
#Italy: As @robertosaviano.bsky.social stands trial again on spurious criminal defamation grounds, we reiterate our full solidarity and call for all charges to be dropped.
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/italy-c...
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/italy-c...
Italy: Criminal defamation charges against writer Roberto Saviano must be dropped — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
The Italian authorities should drop all criminal defamation charges against writer, journalist, and PEN award winner Roberto Saviano, PEN International said today, ahead of the start of his trial in R...
www.pen-international.org
December 17, 2025 at 9:54 AM
#Italy: As @robertosaviano.bsky.social stands trial again on spurious criminal defamation grounds, we reiterate our full solidarity and call for all charges to be dropped.
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/italy-c...
Read more ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/italy-c...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
#Belarus: As we welcome the release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak and Aliaksandr Fiaduta with immense relief, we urge justice for the violations they suffered, including their forced exile.
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/belarus...
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/belarus...
Belarus: PEN members amongst those released into exile — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
‘The PEN movement has been eagerly campaigning for this moment for years. As we welcome the release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak and Aliaksandr Fiaduta with immense relief, we urge just...
www.pen-international.org
December 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM
#Belarus: As we welcome the release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak and Aliaksandr Fiaduta with immense relief, we urge justice for the violations they suffered, including their forced exile.
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/belarus...
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/belarus...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
#Georgia #Belarus: PEN cases Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli are being awarded the prestigious 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought today. We reiterate calls for their immediate release.
www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/ar...
www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/ar...
Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli awarded 2025 Sakharov Prize | Topics | European Parliament
Imprisoned journalists Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia are the laureates of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
www.europarl.europa.eu
December 16, 2025 at 11:21 AM
#Georgia #Belarus: PEN cases Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli are being awarded the prestigious 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought today. We reiterate calls for their immediate release.
www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/ar...
www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/ar...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
A new analytical report dedicated to artistic freedom and the protection of cultural diversity has been published on the PEN Belarus website.
We have gathered several examples of how artistic and cultural activities can become central elements in criminal charges.
We have gathered several examples of how artistic and cultural activities can become central elements in criminal charges.
Belarus: Persecution for Artistic Expression – PEN Belarus
INTRODUCTION Artistic freedom and protection of cultural diversity Artistic freedom [1] is the freedom to imagine, create and distribute diverse cultural expressions free of governmental censorship, p...
penbelarus.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:01 AM
A new analytical report dedicated to artistic freedom and the protection of cultural diversity has been published on the PEN Belarus website.
We have gathered several examples of how artistic and cultural activities can become central elements in criminal charges.
We have gathered several examples of how artistic and cultural activities can become central elements in criminal charges.
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
We welcome the long-awaited release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski and Maksim Znak and fellow writers after years behind bars! We continue urging #Belarus to free all those still held on trumped up grounds. #FreeThemAll
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
Ales Bialiatski, who won Nobel prize while behind bars, is freed from prison in Belarus
The human-rights campaigner won the Nobel Peace Prize while behind bars.
www.reuters.com
December 13, 2025 at 7:19 PM
We welcome the long-awaited release of PEN members Ales Bialiatski and Maksim Znak and fellow writers after years behind bars! We continue urging #Belarus to free all those still held on trumped up grounds. #FreeThemAll
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
Poland is at a defining moment for cultural freedom. Critical Junctures uncovers the challenges faced by writers, journalists, and artists over the past decade, from censorship and SLAPPs to politicised media and shrinking space for dissent. Read the full report, available in English and Polish.
December 11, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Poland is at a defining moment for cultural freedom. Critical Junctures uncovers the challenges faced by writers, journalists, and artists over the past decade, from censorship and SLAPPs to politicised media and shrinking space for dissent. Read the full report, available in English and Polish.
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
Now available in Polish and English: Critical Junctures. PEN International’s report examines the state of freedom to create in Poland from 2015–2025, documenting pressures on writers and journalists and outlining recommendations for reform.
Read the report:
Read the report:
Critical Junctures: PEN International’s report exposes threats to artistic expression in Poland — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
“Critical Junctures is a vital record of the pressures facing Poland’s writers, journalists, and cultural actors over the past decade while identifying catalysts for change. It shows not only how…
www.pen-international.org
December 13, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Now available in Polish and English: Critical Junctures. PEN International’s report examines the state of freedom to create in Poland from 2015–2025, documenting pressures on writers and journalists and outlining recommendations for reform.
Read the report:
Read the report:
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
#RussianFederation: Writer Larisa Tuptsokova faces years in prison in absentia for her work promoting Circassian language and culture. We urge the authorities to drop all charges and to end mounting acts of transnational repression. www.pen-international.org/news/russian...
Russian Federation: Drop spurious extremism case against Circassian writer Larisa Tuptsokova — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
“ The preposterous case against Larisa Tuptsokova is in direct retaliation for her work promoting Circassian language and culture. The Russian authorities must end their relentless onslaught on free...
www.pen-international.org
December 11, 2025 at 11:14 AM
#RussianFederation: Writer Larisa Tuptsokova faces years in prison in absentia for her work promoting Circassian language and culture. We urge the authorities to drop all charges and to end mounting acts of transnational repression. www.pen-international.org/news/russian...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
As #DayoftheImprisonedWriter comes to a close, thank you to all who stood in solidarity with imprisoned writers worldwide. Our collective voices challenge censorship and repression, today on #HumanRightsDay, and every day.
#MohamedTadjadit #YalqunRozi #RoryBranker #MziaAmaglobeli
#MohamedTadjadit #YalqunRozi #RoryBranker #MziaAmaglobeli
December 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
As #DayoftheImprisonedWriter comes to a close, thank you to all who stood in solidarity with imprisoned writers worldwide. Our collective voices challenge censorship and repression, today on #HumanRightsDay, and every day.
#MohamedTadjadit #YalqunRozi #RoryBranker #MziaAmaglobeli
#MohamedTadjadit #YalqunRozi #RoryBranker #MziaAmaglobeli
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
This Human Rights Day, we share a new statement from the Writers for Peace Committee. Together, they reaffirm that words still matter and that peace depends on how we speak and listen.
Read the full statement: www.pen-international.org/news/human-r...
Read the full statement: www.pen-international.org/news/human-r...
PEACE IS A VERB; PEACE IS A MUST; PEACE NOW! A statement by the Writers for Peace Committee — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
A statement by the Writers for Peace Committee of PEN International for of Human Rights Day 2025 Every year on 10 December, the world marks Human Rights Day, commemorating the adoption of the Univer...
www.pen-international.org
December 10, 2025 at 10:33 AM
This Human Rights Day, we share a new statement from the Writers for Peace Committee. Together, they reaffirm that words still matter and that peace depends on how we speak and listen.
Read the full statement: www.pen-international.org/news/human-r...
Read the full statement: www.pen-international.org/news/human-r...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
On #HumanRightsDay, PEN International launches its first global #LiteraryAuction — featuring rare contributions from leading writers, with all proceeds supporting freedom of expression worldwide.
Explore the auction: www.pen-international.org/news/literar...
Explore the auction: www.pen-international.org/news/literar...
December 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM
On #HumanRightsDay, PEN International launches its first global #LiteraryAuction — featuring rare contributions from leading writers, with all proceeds supporting freedom of expression worldwide.
Explore the auction: www.pen-international.org/news/literar...
Explore the auction: www.pen-international.org/news/literar...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
Huge congratulations to Elif Shafak, newly elected President of the Royal Society of Literature. A powerful advocate for free expression and the unifying force of storytelling. We celebrate this well-deserved recognition!. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...
Elif Shafak named new president of the Royal Society of Literature
The British-Turkish writer was elected after a vote among the society’s fellows, with outgoing president Bernardine Evaristo describing her selection as ‘terrifically inspired’
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Huge congratulations to Elif Shafak, newly elected President of the Royal Society of Literature. A powerful advocate for free expression and the unifying force of storytelling. We celebrate this well-deserved recognition!. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
Georgia is jailing journalists for doing their job. Join the discussion on #MziaAmaglobeli’s imprisonment, the wave of arrests since 2024 & how to defend media freedom. Organised by @mediafreedomeu.bsky.social in partnership with us. www.mfrr.eu/jailed-for-d...
#FreeMzia #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
#FreeMzia #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
Jailed for dissent: Georgian journalists and writers under crackdown
www.mfrr.eu
December 8, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Georgia is jailing journalists for doing their job. Join the discussion on #MziaAmaglobeli’s imprisonment, the wave of arrests since 2024 & how to defend media freedom. Organised by @mediafreedomeu.bsky.social in partnership with us. www.mfrr.eu/jailed-for-d...
#FreeMzia #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
#FreeMzia #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
#DayoftheImprisonedWriter: Stand with #MziaAmaglobeli ✍️
She’s jailed for doing her job. Send a message of solidarity, write to the authorities and share her story online to show her she is not alone and to support her fight for justice! 📣
Take action: www.pen-international.org/mzia-amaglob...
She’s jailed for doing her job. Send a message of solidarity, write to the authorities and share her story online to show her she is not alone and to support her fight for justice! 📣
Take action: www.pen-international.org/mzia-amaglob...
December 3, 2025 at 12:08 PM
#DayoftheImprisonedWriter: Stand with #MziaAmaglobeli ✍️
She’s jailed for doing her job. Send a message of solidarity, write to the authorities and share her story online to show her she is not alone and to support her fight for justice! 📣
Take action: www.pen-international.org/mzia-amaglob...
She’s jailed for doing her job. Send a message of solidarity, write to the authorities and share her story online to show her she is not alone and to support her fight for justice! 📣
Take action: www.pen-international.org/mzia-amaglob...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
Burhan Sonmez will be in Rome with acclaimed writers and members of the aspiring PEN Rome Centre to discuss freedom of speech and press.
Joining Janeczek, Lipperini, @robertosaviano.bsky.social and Veronesi at an event by Più libri più liberi.
Find out more (IT): plpl.it/news/event/l...
Joining Janeczek, Lipperini, @robertosaviano.bsky.social and Veronesi at an event by Più libri più liberi.
Find out more (IT): plpl.it/news/event/l...
plpl.it
December 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Burhan Sonmez will be in Rome with acclaimed writers and members of the aspiring PEN Rome Centre to discuss freedom of speech and press.
Joining Janeczek, Lipperini, @robertosaviano.bsky.social and Veronesi at an event by Più libri più liberi.
Find out more (IT): plpl.it/news/event/l...
Joining Janeczek, Lipperini, @robertosaviano.bsky.social and Veronesi at an event by Più libri più liberi.
Find out more (IT): plpl.it/news/event/l...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
#Türkiye: We welcome the release of journalist and author Furkan Karabay after 201 behind bars on spurious grounds.
We call for his conviction to be overturned and for his judicial harassment to end once and for all.
bianet.org/haber/gazete...
We call for his conviction to be overturned and for his judicial harassment to end once and for all.
bianet.org/haber/gazete...
Gazeteci Furkan Karabay hakkında ceza ve tahliye kararı
İstanbul 25. Ağır Ceza Mahkemesinde görülen duruşmada mahkeme başkanı Karabay’ın beyanını kesti. Savcı, iddianame doğrultusunda cezalandırma istedi. Mahkeme, Karabay'a 4 yıl 3 ay hapis cezası vererek ...
bianet.org
December 2, 2025 at 6:25 PM
#Türkiye: We welcome the release of journalist and author Furkan Karabay after 201 behind bars on spurious grounds.
We call for his conviction to be overturned and for his judicial harassment to end once and for all.
bianet.org/haber/gazete...
We call for his conviction to be overturned and for his judicial harassment to end once and for all.
bianet.org/haber/gazete...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
We mourn the passing of Hege Newth (1966–2025), a tireless champion for persecuted writers and former Secretary General of Norsk PEN. Her dedication, wisdom, and courage leave a lasting legacy. Our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. norskpen.no/nyheter/hege...
Hege Newth (1966 – 2025) - Norsk PEN
Det er med stor sorg vi i går kveld fikk beskjed om at tidligere generalsekretær i Norsk PEN, Hege Newth er gått bort.
norskpen.no
December 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
We mourn the passing of Hege Newth (1966–2025), a tireless champion for persecuted writers and former Secretary General of Norsk PEN. Her dedication, wisdom, and courage leave a lasting legacy. Our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. norskpen.no/nyheter/hege...
Reposted by Aurélia Dondo
Journalist Furkan Karabay goes on trial tomorrow, facing 6–15 years on politically motivated charges in Türkiye. Detained since May and held in solitary, he continues to write.
Read his work in the most recent article of PEN/Opp:
penopp.org/articles/i-w...
Read his work in the most recent article of PEN/Opp:
penopp.org/articles/i-w...
I Will Never Forget You, I Will Immortalize You
PART 1: PRISON DOESN’T LIKE HEALTHY PRISONERS
penopp.org
December 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Journalist Furkan Karabay goes on trial tomorrow, facing 6–15 years on politically motivated charges in Türkiye. Detained since May and held in solitary, he continues to write.
Read his work in the most recent article of PEN/Opp:
penopp.org/articles/i-w...
Read his work in the most recent article of PEN/Opp:
penopp.org/articles/i-w...