Started in 1981 by Poets Essayists Novelists (PEN), International’s Writers in Prison Committee, the day is marked by celebrating the freedom to write, and by taking action to call for justice and freedom for imprisoned and murdered colleagues.
Throughout the year, PEN monitors and campaigns on behalf of hundreds of writers around the globe who are harassed, persecuted, attacked, forced into exile and in the most extreme cases, killed for their work.
Every November, PEN Centers and members worldwide come together to show our support for writers at risk, to remember those who have paid the ultimate price, and to stand in solidarity with our colleagues in prison.
Since 15 November 2015 at least 35 writers have been killed worldwide.
