Scottish PEN
@scottishpen.bsky.social
Scottish centre of @pen_int. Committed to promoting literature and defending freedom of expression. RTs ≠ endorsement. Join: http://bit.ly/201zvHC
Pinned
Scottish PEN’s annual Naomi Mitchison Lecture for 2025, “The Menace of Hope at the Back of Life: Practical Philosophies of Protest, Permaculture, and the Pen” – will be delivered by Professor Alison Phipps at the University of Glasgow on 11 December.
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Israeli forces abducted journalist and former hostage Mohammad Assida last night during a raid on his home in the town of Tell, south of Nablus.
November 30, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Israeli forces abducted journalist and former hostage Mohammad Assida last night during a raid on his home in the town of Tell, south of Nablus.
Reposted by Scottish PEN
This week in #FreeExpression news:
🔹 #US shutters RFE/RL’s #Hungary service for “opposing” Orbán
🔹 LGBTQI+ journalists targeted in #Turkey
🔹 #Samoa government blocks daily newspaper from press access
📬 Read more & subscribe: buff.ly/iHp8lju #IFEXThisWeek
🔹 #US shutters RFE/RL’s #Hungary service for “opposing” Orbán
🔹 LGBTQI+ journalists targeted in #Turkey
🔹 #Samoa government blocks daily newspaper from press access
📬 Read more & subscribe: buff.ly/iHp8lju #IFEXThisWeek
November 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM
This week in #FreeExpression news:
🔹 #US shutters RFE/RL’s #Hungary service for “opposing” Orbán
🔹 LGBTQI+ journalists targeted in #Turkey
🔹 #Samoa government blocks daily newspaper from press access
📬 Read more & subscribe: buff.ly/iHp8lju #IFEXThisWeek
🔹 #US shutters RFE/RL’s #Hungary service for “opposing” Orbán
🔹 LGBTQI+ journalists targeted in #Turkey
🔹 #Samoa government blocks daily newspaper from press access
📬 Read more & subscribe: buff.ly/iHp8lju #IFEXThisWeek
Reposted by Scottish PEN
🎬 London: CPJ is proud to support the documentary "#ArmedOnlyWithACamera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud." Join us for a screening and Q&A with the filmmakers.
🗓️ 13 Norfolk Place | Dec. 8 | 7-8:30 PM GMT
Register👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/screening-...
🗓️ 13 Norfolk Place | Dec. 8 | 7-8:30 PM GMT
Register👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/screening-...
November 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM
🎬 London: CPJ is proud to support the documentary "#ArmedOnlyWithACamera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud." Join us for a screening and Q&A with the filmmakers.
🗓️ 13 Norfolk Place | Dec. 8 | 7-8:30 PM GMT
Register👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/screening-...
🗓️ 13 Norfolk Place | Dec. 8 | 7-8:30 PM GMT
Register👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/screening-...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Plan to reduce jury trials an ‘irremediable error’, lawyers say in MoJ letter
Plan to reduce jury trials an ‘irremediable error’, lawyers say in MoJ letter
More than 100 lawyers have accused the Ministry of Justice of ignoring the legal profession’s objections
More than 100 lawyers who wrote to the Ministry of Justice expressing significant concerns about plans to severely restrict jury trials say representations by the legal profession are being ignored.
The government is expected to formally announce the changes, which have caused deep division among the judiciary and senior lawyers, as soon as next week. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Plan to reduce jury trials an ‘irremediable error’, lawyers say in MoJ letter
Scottish PEN’s annual Naomi Mitchison Lecture for 2025, “The Menace of Hope at the Back of Life: Practical Philosophies of Protest, Permaculture, and the Pen” – will be delivered by Professor Alison Phipps at the University of Glasgow on 11 December.
November 26, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Scottish PEN’s annual Naomi Mitchison Lecture for 2025, “The Menace of Hope at the Back of Life: Practical Philosophies of Protest, Permaculture, and the Pen” – will be delivered by Professor Alison Phipps at the University of Glasgow on 11 December.
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Reading Scotland with Margaret Bennet
Why Scotland Celebrates St Andrew's Day
2 Dec, online – free
Dr Margaret Bennet talks about the relevance of celebrating St Andrew’s Day today & dives into the origins of this national holiday
www.scotland.uni-mainz.de/reading-scot...
Why Scotland Celebrates St Andrew's Day
2 Dec, online – free
Dr Margaret Bennet talks about the relevance of celebrating St Andrew’s Day today & dives into the origins of this national holiday
www.scotland.uni-mainz.de/reading-scot...
November 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Reading Scotland with Margaret Bennet
Why Scotland Celebrates St Andrew's Day
2 Dec, online – free
Dr Margaret Bennet talks about the relevance of celebrating St Andrew’s Day today & dives into the origins of this national holiday
www.scotland.uni-mainz.de/reading-scot...
Why Scotland Celebrates St Andrew's Day
2 Dec, online – free
Dr Margaret Bennet talks about the relevance of celebrating St Andrew’s Day today & dives into the origins of this national holiday
www.scotland.uni-mainz.de/reading-scot...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
We’re just over $61,000 shy of reaching our goal for the year!
Please consider supporting @freedom.press with a tax-deductible gift.
Any donations made before Dec. 31 will be DOUBLED, up to $75,000.
freedom.press/donate/
Please consider supporting @freedom.press with a tax-deductible gift.
Any donations made before Dec. 31 will be DOUBLED, up to $75,000.
freedom.press/donate/
November 24, 2025 at 8:57 PM
We’re just over $61,000 shy of reaching our goal for the year!
Please consider supporting @freedom.press with a tax-deductible gift.
Any donations made before Dec. 31 will be DOUBLED, up to $75,000.
freedom.press/donate/
Please consider supporting @freedom.press with a tax-deductible gift.
Any donations made before Dec. 31 will be DOUBLED, up to $75,000.
freedom.press/donate/
We stand in solidarity with these activists, peaceful protesters arrested under the Terrorism Act, including our Vice President @lizzie4.bsky.social
We abhor the use of extreme powers to clamp down on freedom of expression & the right to protest.
www.thenational.scot/news/2564682...
We abhor the use of extreme powers to clamp down on freedom of expression & the right to protest.
www.thenational.scot/news/2564682...
Paul Laverty joins Scottish activists in burning Crown Office terror case letter
AWARD-WINNING Scottish writer Paul Laverty has joined pro-Palestine protesters facing terrorism charges in burning prosecutors' offers of getting…
www.thenational.scot
November 24, 2025 at 8:43 PM
We stand in solidarity with these activists, peaceful protesters arrested under the Terrorism Act, including our Vice President @lizzie4.bsky.social
We abhor the use of extreme powers to clamp down on freedom of expression & the right to protest.
www.thenational.scot/news/2564682...
We abhor the use of extreme powers to clamp down on freedom of expression & the right to protest.
www.thenational.scot/news/2564682...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Since the implementation of the ceasefire in Lebanon, the IDF has murdered 338 men, women and children They have wounded hundreds more.
November 23, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Since the implementation of the ceasefire in Lebanon, the IDF has murdered 338 men, women and children They have wounded hundreds more.
Reposted by Scottish PEN
#Bahrain 🇧🇭 By detaining Ebrahim Sharif on false news and insult charges, the authorities are reinforcing a systematic campaign to silence critical voices, says ADHRB.
buff.ly/rNK2B52
buff.ly/rNK2B52
November 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
#Bahrain 🇧🇭 By detaining Ebrahim Sharif on false news and insult charges, the authorities are reinforcing a systematic campaign to silence critical voices, says ADHRB.
buff.ly/rNK2B52
buff.ly/rNK2B52
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Algeria’s protest poet will need more than awards to avoid a life in prison
Jailed for his verse, former fruit seller Mohamed Tadjadit has exposed the Algerian regime’s weaknesses. But that may not help his case
✍️ Steve Bloomfield
https://bit.ly/3JPyHso
Jailed for his verse, former fruit seller Mohamed Tadjadit has exposed the Algerian regime’s weaknesses. But that may not help his case
✍️ Steve Bloomfield
https://bit.ly/3JPyHso
Algeria’s protest poet will need more than awards to avoid a life in prison | The Observer
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Algeria’s protest poet will need more than awards to avoid a life in prison
Jailed for his verse, former fruit seller Mohamed Tadjadit has exposed the Algerian regime’s weaknesses. But that may not help his case
✍️ Steve Bloomfield
https://bit.ly/3JPyHso
Jailed for his verse, former fruit seller Mohamed Tadjadit has exposed the Algerian regime’s weaknesses. But that may not help his case
✍️ Steve Bloomfield
https://bit.ly/3JPyHso
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Computer’s First Christmas Card: a Poetry/Coding workshop
4 Dec, Glasgow – free
Inspired by Edwin Morgan’s poem, attendees at this Poetry/Coding workshop will code a festive poem & leave with a handmade Christmas card! No experience of coding or poetry necessary
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/computers-...
4 Dec, Glasgow – free
Inspired by Edwin Morgan’s poem, attendees at this Poetry/Coding workshop will code a festive poem & leave with a handmade Christmas card! No experience of coding or poetry necessary
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/computers-...
Computer's First Christmas Card: a Poetry/Coding workshop
Poetry Coding Workshop with the Edwin Morgan Collection. An introduction to coding and poetry with Michael Mullen and Claire Quigley.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Computer’s First Christmas Card: a Poetry/Coding workshop
4 Dec, Glasgow – free
Inspired by Edwin Morgan’s poem, attendees at this Poetry/Coding workshop will code a festive poem & leave with a handmade Christmas card! No experience of coding or poetry necessary
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/computers-...
4 Dec, Glasgow – free
Inspired by Edwin Morgan’s poem, attendees at this Poetry/Coding workshop will code a festive poem & leave with a handmade Christmas card! No experience of coding or poetry necessary
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/computers-...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
From endless delays in response time to ridiculously overbroad ██████ redactions, FOIA is plagued with problems.
Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:
Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:
Strengthen the Freedom of Information Act
Defending press freedom for the next generation
freedom.press
November 24, 2025 at 7:40 PM
From endless delays in response time to ridiculously overbroad ██████ redactions, FOIA is plagued with problems.
Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:
Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:
Reposted by Scottish PEN
“It’s one thing to call someone a “bastard” when you know perfectly well their parents are married.
It’s another thing to call someone a “terrorist” when you know perfectly well they aren’t.
Particularly when you’re the government.”
Sign up: wedonotcomply.org
It’s another thing to call someone a “terrorist” when you know perfectly well they aren’t.
Particularly when you’re the government.”
Sign up: wedonotcomply.org
November 24, 2025 at 9:28 AM
“It’s one thing to call someone a “bastard” when you know perfectly well their parents are married.
It’s another thing to call someone a “terrorist” when you know perfectly well they aren’t.
Particularly when you’re the government.”
Sign up: wedonotcomply.org
It’s another thing to call someone a “terrorist” when you know perfectly well they aren’t.
Particularly when you’re the government.”
Sign up: wedonotcomply.org
Thank you, Omar El Akkad, for your powerful words of truth & resistance.
"If we are to do this work of language, we have an obligation to stand in opposition to any force...that if left unchecked would happily decimate every principle of free expression & connection that we come here to celebrate."
"If we are to do this work of language, we have an obligation to stand in opposition to any force...that if left unchecked would happily decimate every principle of free expression & connection that we come here to celebrate."
Omar El Akkad spoke after winning the 2025 National Book Award for nonfiction for “One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This,” his book on the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. He accepted the award at a gala in New York City this week.
November 24, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Thank you, Omar El Akkad, for your powerful words of truth & resistance.
"If we are to do this work of language, we have an obligation to stand in opposition to any force...that if left unchecked would happily decimate every principle of free expression & connection that we come here to celebrate."
"If we are to do this work of language, we have an obligation to stand in opposition to any force...that if left unchecked would happily decimate every principle of free expression & connection that we come here to celebrate."
Reposted by Scottish PEN
#OtD 24 Nov 1942 Scottish comedian and former shipyard apprentice, Billy Connolly, was born. He was involved in the Clyde shipyards apprentices strikes of the 1960s, striking alongside future Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson, among others stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/9685...
November 24, 2025 at 10:25 AM
#OtD 24 Nov 1942 Scottish comedian and former shipyard apprentice, Billy Connolly, was born. He was involved in the Clyde shipyards apprentices strikes of the 1960s, striking alongside future Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson, among others stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/9685...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Scottish arts workers have slammed Angus Robertson for an 'unacceptable' Gaza letter
Scottish arts workers slam Angus Robertson for 'unacceptable' Gaza letter
www.thenational.scot
November 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Scottish arts workers have slammed Angus Robertson for an 'unacceptable' Gaza letter
Reposted by Scottish PEN
A new exhibition in Scotland aims to honour the memory of children who have died in Gaza since October 2023, with a calligrapher spending months writing out their names
Exhibition to honour memory of thousands of children killed in Gaza
www.thenational.scot
November 21, 2025 at 3:29 PM
A new exhibition in Scotland aims to honour the memory of children who have died in Gaza since October 2023, with a calligrapher spending months writing out their names
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Police arrested at least 47 supporters of Palestine Action as they held a peaceful protest outside the Ministry of Justice on Thursday.
Police dragged away protesters for simply carrying signs proclaiming, “I support Palestine Action.”
www.democracynow.org/2025/11/21/h...
Police dragged away protesters for simply carrying signs proclaiming, “I support Palestine Action.”
www.democracynow.org/2025/11/21/h...
London Police Arrest Peaceful Protesters for Carrying Signs Supporting Palestine Action
In London, police arrested at least 47 supporters of the banned direct action group Palestine Action as they held a peaceful protest outside the Ministry of Justice on Thursday. They’re the latest of ...
www.democracynow.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Police arrested at least 47 supporters of Palestine Action as they held a peaceful protest outside the Ministry of Justice on Thursday.
Police dragged away protesters for simply carrying signs proclaiming, “I support Palestine Action.”
www.democracynow.org/2025/11/21/h...
Police dragged away protesters for simply carrying signs proclaiming, “I support Palestine Action.”
www.democracynow.org/2025/11/21/h...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Boris Johnson’s lack of leadership over the seriousness of Covid led to the first lockdown being introduced too late, which contributed to the loss of 23,000 lives, the official inquiry into his handling of the pandemic has concluded
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Boris Johnson's lack of leadership blamed for 23,000 Covid deaths
A scathing report by inquiry chair Baroness Hallett also criticises the Department of Health, led by the current Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald and the then minister Matt Hancock
inews.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Boris Johnson’s lack of leadership over the seriousness of Covid led to the first lockdown being introduced too late, which contributed to the loss of 23,000 lives, the official inquiry into his handling of the pandemic has concluded
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Noncitizen journalists face risk from ICE — here’s what newsrooms can do
Noncitizen journalists face risk from ICE — here’s what newsrooms can do
We spoke to experts in immigration and media law about how newsrooms should prepare for ICE detentions of journalists
freedom.press
November 20, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Noncitizen journalists face risk from ICE — here’s what newsrooms can do
Reposted by Scottish PEN
The Saudi government are brutal butchers who openly engage in torture, murder, and assassination. They should be shunned by polite society everywhere. Instead they're buying their way into everything and corrupting everything they touch.
www.the-independent.com/news/world/m...
www.the-independent.com/news/world/m...
Two transgender Pakistanis 'tortured to death' by police in Saudi Arabia
Pakistan human rights activists demand information from Saudi Arabia over 11 transgender people still in custody
www.the-independent.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:31 PM
The Saudi government are brutal butchers who openly engage in torture, murder, and assassination. They should be shunned by polite society everywhere. Instead they're buying their way into everything and corrupting everything they touch.
www.the-independent.com/news/world/m...
www.the-independent.com/news/world/m...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Harvard has launched an investigation into Larry Summers and other Harvard affiliates over their ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Harvard To Launch New Investigation Into Epstein’s Ties to Summers, Other University Affiliates | News | The Harvard Crimson
Harvard will open a new probe into former University President Lawrence H. Summers’ connections with convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey E. Epstein, after newly released documents revealed the two ...
www.thecrimson.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Harvard has launched an investigation into Larry Summers and other Harvard affiliates over their ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Shabana Mahmood accused of ‘ethnic stereotyping’ by Albania’s PM
Shabana Mahmood accused of ‘ethnic stereotyping’ by Albania’s PM
Edi Rama says home secretary using ‘rhetoric of populist far-right’ after 700 Albanian families singled out for deportation
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UK politics live – latest updates
Shabana Mahmood has been accused of “ethnic stereotyping” and “indecent demagoguery” by Albania’s prime minister after the home secretary singled out Albanian families and children for refusing to return to their homeland.
Edi Rama, the Socialist party leader, has questioned why a Labour politician can “so poorly echo the rhetoric of the populist far-right” after Mahmood’s officials singled out 700 Albanian families for deportation. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Shabana Mahmood accused of ‘ethnic stereotyping’ by Albania’s PM
Reposted by Scottish PEN
Khashoggi was killed because he reported on human rights violations, anti-democratic practices, and oppression of dissidents by Crown Prince Salman in Saudi Arabia. As a dissident, any of you could share this fate at any time.
November 19, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Khashoggi was killed because he reported on human rights violations, anti-democratic practices, and oppression of dissidents by Crown Prince Salman in Saudi Arabia. As a dissident, any of you could share this fate at any time.