PEN Sydney
@pensydney.bsky.social
Sydney branch of PEN 🖋️
Defending freedom of expression on behalf of writers silenced by persecution or imprisonment.
🌏 https://linktr.ee/pensydneyau
Defending freedom of expression on behalf of writers silenced by persecution or imprisonment.
🌏 https://linktr.ee/pensydneyau
👏 PEN Sydney congratulates Cheng Lei on her position as the new president of PEN Melbourne. A journalist, playwright and broadcaster, Lei spent three years in a Chinese gaol on trumped-up charges of treason. Her experience will bring a deeper understanding of the importance of PEN’s mission.
September 17, 2026 at 7:45 AM
👏 PEN Sydney congratulates Cheng Lei on her position as the new president of PEN Melbourne. A journalist, playwright and broadcaster, Lei spent three years in a Chinese gaol on trumped-up charges of treason. Her experience will bring a deeper understanding of the importance of PEN’s mission.
✒️ Twelve writers and journalists, taken in September 2001, and silence ever since.
Every signature is a way of saying we haven't forgotten them, and neither should the Eritrean government.
📋 Sign our petition: www.pen-international.org/proof-of-lif...
#FreeEritreas12
Every signature is a way of saying we haven't forgotten them, and neither should the Eritrean government.
📋 Sign our petition: www.pen-international.org/proof-of-lif...
#FreeEritreas12
25 Years Disappeared: Proof of Life Now — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
Join PEN International, PEN Eritrea in Exile and PEN Centres worldwide in demanding proof of life for Eritrea's disappeared journalists and writers.
www.pen-international.org
September 15, 2026 at 8:07 AM
✒️ Twelve writers and journalists, taken in September 2001, and silence ever since.
Every signature is a way of saying we haven't forgotten them, and neither should the Eritrean government.
📋 Sign our petition: www.pen-international.org/proof-of-lif...
#FreeEritreas12
Every signature is a way of saying we haven't forgotten them, and neither should the Eritrean government.
📋 Sign our petition: www.pen-international.org/proof-of-lif...
#FreeEritreas12
Reposted by PEN Sydney
Cheng Lei to become president of PEN Melbourne
Journalist and writer Cheng Lei is set to become the next president of PEN Melbourne, bringing her lived experience of wrongful imprisonment and a powerful commitment to freedom of expression. Her extraordinary story of survival, release and…
Journalist and writer Cheng Lei is set to become the next president of PEN Melbourne, bringing her lived experience of wrongful imprisonment and a powerful commitment to freedom of expression. Her extraordinary story of survival, release and…
Cheng Lei to become president of PEN Melbourne
Journalist and writer Cheng Lei is set to become the next president of PEN Melbourne, bringing her lived experience of wrongful imprisonment and a powerful commitment to freedom of expression. Her extraordinary story of survival, release and rebuilding her life is featured in the recent Australian Story episode, Time After Time.
penperth.com
September 15, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Cheng Lei to become president of PEN Melbourne
Journalist and writer Cheng Lei is set to become the next president of PEN Melbourne, bringing her lived experience of wrongful imprisonment and a powerful commitment to freedom of expression. Her extraordinary story of survival, release and…
Journalist and writer Cheng Lei is set to become the next president of PEN Melbourne, bringing her lived experience of wrongful imprisonment and a powerful commitment to freedom of expression. Her extraordinary story of survival, release and…
Reposted by PEN Sydney
#PETITION: Before the 25th anniversary, help us show the Eritrean government that we haven't forgotten the 12 writers and journalists taken in September 2001. After 25 years of silence, their families still await proof of life.
Every signature matters: www.pen-international.org/proof-of-lif...
Every signature matters: www.pen-international.org/proof-of-lif...
25 Years Disappeared: Proof of Life Now — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
Join PEN International, PEN Eritrea in Exile and PEN Centres worldwide in demanding proof of life for Eritrea's disappeared journalists and writers.
www.pen-international.org
September 9, 2026 at 11:07 AM
#PETITION: Before the 25th anniversary, help us show the Eritrean government that we haven't forgotten the 12 writers and journalists taken in September 2001. After 25 years of silence, their families still await proof of life.
Every signature matters: www.pen-international.org/proof-of-lif...
Every signature matters: www.pen-international.org/proof-of-lif...
🏛️ Zionist Federation of Australia CEO Alon Cassuto has dropped his discrimination lawsuit against journalist Mary Kostakidis over her social media posts about the Israel-Gaza conflict made in 2024.
This ends a case of lawfare that chewed up significant amounts of Kostakidis’ time and finances.
This ends a case of lawfare that chewed up significant amounts of Kostakidis’ time and finances.
September 11, 2026 at 7:42 AM
🏛️ Zionist Federation of Australia CEO Alon Cassuto has dropped his discrimination lawsuit against journalist Mary Kostakidis over her social media posts about the Israel-Gaza conflict made in 2024.
This ends a case of lawfare that chewed up significant amounts of Kostakidis’ time and finances.
This ends a case of lawfare that chewed up significant amounts of Kostakidis’ time and finances.
‼️🇺🇦 The Russian Federation continues to bomb civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. Ukrainian literature is an extension of Ukrainian identity, and Russia’s attempts to erase it cannot go unremarked.
👉 www.pen-international.org/news/ukraine...
#ukraine
👉 www.pen-international.org/news/ukraine...
#ukraine
September 9, 2026 at 7:42 AM
‼️🇺🇦 The Russian Federation continues to bomb civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. Ukrainian literature is an extension of Ukrainian identity, and Russia’s attempts to erase it cannot go unremarked.
👉 www.pen-international.org/news/ukraine...
#ukraine
👉 www.pen-international.org/news/ukraine...
#ukraine
Reposted by PEN Sydney
#Malta: We are deeply troubled by yesterday's news that the man accused of ordering journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination has been acquitted, nine years after her killing.
We stand with Daphne’s family in their pursuit of justice and accountability.
We stand with Daphne’s family in their pursuit of justice and accountability.
Maltese tycoon found not guilty of involvement in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder
Yorgen Fenech cleared on both charges he faced over 2017 killing of journalist that prompted global outrage
www.theguardian.com
September 3, 2026 at 10:58 AM
#Malta: We are deeply troubled by yesterday's news that the man accused of ordering journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination has been acquitted, nine years after her killing.
We stand with Daphne’s family in their pursuit of justice and accountability.
We stand with Daphne’s family in their pursuit of justice and accountability.
🌏✒️ Abul Osman is a Rohingya poet, writer, humanitarian worker, and published author. In his poetry books “Hope: Voice Beyond Pessimism” and Longing: A Voice of Loss", Osman raises his voice to fight for the justice and human rights that have long been denied to the Rohingya people.
#refugee #poetry
#refugee #poetry
September 2, 2026 at 7:20 AM
📩 An open letter has been written to Iran's political prisoners, many of whom face the death penalty for daring to speak out against a repressive regime.
👉 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#iran #freespeech
👉 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#iran #freespeech
August 31, 2026 at 7:34 AM
📩 An open letter has been written to Iran's political prisoners, many of whom face the death penalty for daring to speak out against a repressive regime.
👉 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#iran #freespeech
👉 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#iran #freespeech
🇦🇺✒️Award-winning cartoonist Cathy Wilcox has decided to leave The Sydney Morning Herald following after a 37-year career at last week's PEN Sydney lecture, following a campaign of demonisation over her cartoon criticising Benjamin Netanyahu and Australian politicians.
#auspol #freespeech
#auspol #freespeech
August 28, 2026 at 8:04 AM
🇦🇺✒️Award-winning cartoonist Cathy Wilcox has decided to leave The Sydney Morning Herald following after a 37-year career at last week's PEN Sydney lecture, following a campaign of demonisation over her cartoon criticising Benjamin Netanyahu and Australian politicians.
#auspol #freespeech
#auspol #freespeech
🗞️ PEN Sydney’s August magazine is now available and free to read online!
👉 pen.org.au/wp-content/u...
#auspol #freespeech #politics
👉 pen.org.au/wp-content/u...
#auspol #freespeech #politics
August 26, 2026 at 7:22 AM
🗞️ PEN Sydney’s August magazine is now available and free to read online!
👉 pen.org.au/wp-content/u...
#auspol #freespeech #politics
👉 pen.org.au/wp-content/u...
#auspol #freespeech #politics
#Afghanistan: Five years after the fall of Kabul, a young Afghan writer publishing under the pen name Roya reflects on a future stolen. Her essay, translated for PEN/Opp, is a testament to how words become shelter when everything else is taken away.
Read here ➡️ penopp.org/articles/eng...
Read here ➡️ penopp.org/articles/eng...
Engineer of Dreams: After the Fall of Kabul
Until 2022, I never thought that one day I would write stories.
penopp.org
August 21, 2026 at 7:27 AM
👏 We would like to thank everyone who attended, “How Free is Free Speech?”, along with the Sydney Writers’ Festival and State Library of New South Wales.
Help PEN Sydney continue to run events like these throughout the year and protect writers under threat worldwide. Join us.
🌏 pen.org.au/join-us/
Help PEN Sydney continue to run events like these throughout the year and protect writers under threat worldwide. Join us.
🌏 pen.org.au/join-us/
August 21, 2026 at 7:23 AM
👏 We would like to thank everyone who attended, “How Free is Free Speech?”, along with the Sydney Writers’ Festival and State Library of New South Wales.
Help PEN Sydney continue to run events like these throughout the year and protect writers under threat worldwide. Join us.
🌏 pen.org.au/join-us/
Help PEN Sydney continue to run events like these throughout the year and protect writers under threat worldwide. Join us.
🌏 pen.org.au/join-us/
Reposted by PEN Sydney
#Afghanistan: Together with PEN Centres we've written to European leaders urging them to reject forced returns to Afghanistan, uphold non-refoulement, and expand safe pathways for those at risk. European migration policy must not put Afghan lives in danger. www.pen-international.org/news/afghani...
Afghanistan five years on: Don’t send people back to Taliban rule — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
15 August 2026: Five years on from the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan’s writers, journalists and independent voices continue to face severe repression. As European governments consider closer ...
www.pen-international.org
August 15, 2026 at 10:04 AM
#Afghanistan: Together with PEN Centres we've written to European leaders urging them to reject forced returns to Afghanistan, uphold non-refoulement, and expand safe pathways for those at risk. European migration policy must not put Afghan lives in danger. www.pen-international.org/news/afghani...
❗️ A fresh batch of tickets has been released for the PEN Sydney Lecture next Wednesday 19th of August.
How Free is Free Speech in Australia?
Visit the Sydney Writers' Festival event page and reserve your place today!
👉 www.swf.org.au/program/out-...
#auspol #swf #sydney
How Free is Free Speech in Australia?
Visit the Sydney Writers' Festival event page and reserve your place today!
👉 www.swf.org.au/program/out-...
#auspol #swf #sydney
August 14, 2026 at 2:32 AM
❗️ A fresh batch of tickets has been released for the PEN Sydney Lecture next Wednesday 19th of August.
How Free is Free Speech in Australia?
Visit the Sydney Writers' Festival event page and reserve your place today!
👉 www.swf.org.au/program/out-...
#auspol #swf #sydney
How Free is Free Speech in Australia?
Visit the Sydney Writers' Festival event page and reserve your place today!
👉 www.swf.org.au/program/out-...
#auspol #swf #sydney
Reposted by PEN Sydney
Chair’s reflection – August 2026
Dear members and fellow travellers Let me begin by thanking Hélène Jaccomard who kept this column going while I was away for the last three issues of the newsletter. While in Europe, I was reminded rather soberingly of the pointy end of PEN International’s work…
Dear members and fellow travellers Let me begin by thanking Hélène Jaccomard who kept this column going while I was away for the last three issues of the newsletter. While in Europe, I was reminded rather soberingly of the pointy end of PEN International’s work…
Chair’s reflection – August 2026
Dear members and fellow travellers Let me begin by thanking Hélène Jaccomard who kept this column going while I was away for the last three issues of the newsletter. While in Europe, I was reminded rather soberingly of the pointy end of PEN International’s work when I joined a meeting of key PEN centres to discuss financial support for writers at risk.
penperth.com
August 14, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Chair’s reflection – August 2026
Dear members and fellow travellers Let me begin by thanking Hélène Jaccomard who kept this column going while I was away for the last three issues of the newsletter. While in Europe, I was reminded rather soberingly of the pointy end of PEN International’s work…
Dear members and fellow travellers Let me begin by thanking Hélène Jaccomard who kept this column going while I was away for the last three issues of the newsletter. While in Europe, I was reminded rather soberingly of the pointy end of PEN International’s work…
#China#HongKong: The continuing arrests of independent booksellers are a stark sign of the accelerating erosion of free expression.
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/chinaho...
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/chinaho...
China/Hong Kong: Arrests of booksellers deepen concerns over shrinking space for free expression — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
‘Booksellers are indispensable to a free and open society. They ensure that ideas and information remain accessible, even when those ideas are uncomfortable to those in power. The repeated targeting o...
www.pen-international.org
August 13, 2026 at 9:01 AM
🌏 What is the PEN Empty Chair?
Join PEN Sydney and support writers at risk.
👉 pen.org.au/join-us/
#freeexpression #freespeech #writers #writing
Join PEN Sydney and support writers at risk.
👉 pen.org.au/join-us/
#freeexpression #freespeech #writers #writing
August 11, 2026 at 7:29 AM
🌏 What is the PEN Empty Chair?
Join PEN Sydney and support writers at risk.
👉 pen.org.au/join-us/
#freeexpression #freespeech #writers #writing
Join PEN Sydney and support writers at risk.
👉 pen.org.au/join-us/
#freeexpression #freespeech #writers #writing
🎉 PEN Sydney congratulates ABC Friends on its 50th year. It has worked to uphold and promote the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s vital role as a national public media organisation that provides high-quality independent news and information.
👉 abcfriends.au
#auspol
👉 abcfriends.au
#auspol
August 5, 2026 at 8:48 AM
🎉 PEN Sydney congratulates ABC Friends on its 50th year. It has worked to uphold and promote the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s vital role as a national public media organisation that provides high-quality independent news and information.
👉 abcfriends.au
#auspol
👉 abcfriends.au
#auspol
August 3, 2026 at 7:50 AM
❗️The prominent Ethiopian-American novelist Dinaw Mengetsu has resigned his position as president of PEN America after the organisation published a piece reaffirming its opposition to participation in and advocacy for cultural and academic boycotts.
📸 S L O W K I N G
📸 S L O W K I N G
July 30, 2026 at 6:57 AM
❗️The prominent Ethiopian-American novelist Dinaw Mengetsu has resigned his position as president of PEN America after the organisation published a piece reaffirming its opposition to participation in and advocacy for cultural and academic boycotts.
📸 S L O W K I N G
📸 S L O W K I N G
July 23, 2026 at 7:38 AM
July 19, 2026 at 3:06 AM
#Serbia: We urge the authorities to launch a prompt and thorough investigation into the brutal assault on writer Vladimir Arsenijević. Entrenched impunity for crimes against writers and journalists in the country must be addressed.
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/serbia-...
Read our statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/serbia-...
Serbia: Violent attack on writer Vladimir Arsenijević condemned — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
‘The brutal assault on writer Vladimir Arsenijević comes in the wake of a pervasive crackdown on dissent in Serbia. As we express our full solidarity with Arsenijević, we once again urge the Serbian a...
www.pen-international.org
July 15, 2026 at 7:43 AM
📖 PEN Sydney is dedicated to the freedom to write and the freedom to read in Australia and across the globe.
🫂 Become a member of PEN Sydney today and help us in the fight for a fundamental human right.
👉 pen.org.au
#auspol #writing #freespeech #reading
🫂 Become a member of PEN Sydney today and help us in the fight for a fundamental human right.
👉 pen.org.au
#auspol #writing #freespeech #reading
July 13, 2026 at 7:35 AM
📖 PEN Sydney is dedicated to the freedom to write and the freedom to read in Australia and across the globe.
🫂 Become a member of PEN Sydney today and help us in the fight for a fundamental human right.
👉 pen.org.au
#auspol #writing #freespeech #reading
🫂 Become a member of PEN Sydney today and help us in the fight for a fundamental human right.
👉 pen.org.au
#auspol #writing #freespeech #reading