by PenSydney | Mar 8, 2026 | News
Criminal defamation charges against Australian writer and journalist Murray Hunter have been settled without penalty or cost. On 17 November 2025, Hunter was indicted in Thailand after Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission brought defamation charges...
by PenSydney | Mar 8, 2026 | News
On February 9, writer and publisher Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty under Hong Kong’s 2020 National Security Law (NSL). Prior to sentencing, Jimmy Lai had spent years in solitary confinement under cruel and degrading conditions....
by PenSydney | Feb 8, 2026 | News
PEN Sydney joins PEN America in condemning the detention of Iranian poet Ali Asadollahi. His arrest comes in the context of mass civil protests in Iran. PEN America and PEN Sydney are gravely concerned for the safety of writers, as well as journalists, scholars,...
by PenSydney | Feb 2, 2026 | News
This conversation was originally published in 2020. It was organised by PEN Sydney, on behalf of the Australian PEN Centres in Melbourne and Perth. The discussion is between PEN Sydney president, Mark Isaacs, and three members of the Iranian Writers’ Association (IWA)...
by PenSydney | Jan 22, 2026 | News
PEN Melbourne, PEN Sydney and PEN Perth express our deep concern regarding the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill that was passed by parliament this week. Freedom of expression, including the right to challenge, critique and debate ideas, especially...
by PenSydney | Jan 17, 2026 | News
On 14 January, Filipino poet, writer, and activist Amanda Echanis was acquitted of weapons and explosives charges after spending more than five years in detention. The court found the prosecution failed to establish the elements of the case. Although a welcome...
