UPCOMING EVENT
Tuesday, February 24: Global Correspondences: A Benefit for the PEN Journal With: André Aciman, Edward Albee, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Ron Chernow, Lydia Davis, Deborah Eisenberg, Nathan Englander, Janet Malcolm, Francine Prose, and Sarah Ruhl7 p.m. at Cooper Union's Great Hall, NYC>> More
ONLINE NOW2009 Translation FeatureSpeaking across geographies, styles, and literary conventions, this month's Online Feature showcases some of the most interesting voices—old and new—in translation. >> More
PEN NEWSWriters Rally to Free Imprisoned Colleague Liu XiaoboNadine Gordimer, Wole Soyinka, J.M. Coetzee, and over one thousand supporters of free expression have called for the release of imprisoned writer Liu Xiaobo. But it's not enough. We need your help. >> Sign the petition nowTunyaz Released from Prison in ChinaWriter and historian Tohti Tunyaz was released last week after serving an 11-year sentence for “stealing state secrets” and “inciting national disunity.” >> MoreNational Book Critics Circle Honors PEN with Lifetime Achievement AwardThe Ivan Sandrof Life Acheivement award recognizes outstanding and longstanding dedication to book culture
Tuesday, February 24: Global Correspondences: A Benefit for the PEN Journal With: André Aciman, Edward Albee, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Ron Chernow, Lydia Davis, Deborah Eisenberg, Nathan Englander, Janet Malcolm, Francine Prose, and Sarah Ruhl7 p.m. at Cooper Union's Great Hall, NYC>> More
ONLINE NOW2009 Translation FeatureSpeaking across geographies, styles, and literary conventions, this month's Online Feature showcases some of the most interesting voices—old and new—in translation. >> More
PEN NEWSWriters Rally to Free Imprisoned Colleague Liu XiaoboNadine Gordimer, Wole Soyinka, J.M. Coetzee, and over one thousand supporters of free expression have called for the release of imprisoned writer Liu Xiaobo. But it's not enough. We need your help. >> Sign the petition nowTunyaz Released from Prison in ChinaWriter and historian Tohti Tunyaz was released last week after serving an 11-year sentence for “stealing state secrets” and “inciting national disunity.” >> MoreNational Book Critics Circle Honors PEN with Lifetime Achievement AwardThe Ivan Sandrof Life Acheivement award recognizes outstanding and longstanding dedication to book culture
February 17, 2009: Writer Tohti Tunyaz Released From Prison in China a Week Before Clinton Visit
Concerns remain for Liu Xiaobo, other detained writers
Concerns remain for Liu Xiaobo, other detained writers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFor more information contact:Larry Siems, (212) 334-1660 ext. 105
New York, February 17, 2009—PEN American Center expressed relief today at the news that imprisoned writer, historian, and winner of the 2002 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, Tohti Tunyaz, was released from prison in China last week after serving an 11-year sentence for “stealing state secrets” and “inciting national disunity.” However, concerns remain for the 45 writers still imprisoned in China, including prominent PEN member Liu Xiaobo.According to PEN’s information, Uighur writer Tohti Tunyaz was released from Xinjiang No. 3 Prison in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Prefecture in northwestern China, on expiry of his 11-year sentence. Tunyaz had been studying for his Ph.D in Uighur history and ethnic relations at Tokyo University’s School of Humanities in Japan and was arrested when he returned to his homeland on a research trip in February 1998. On November 10, 1998, Chinese authorities charged Tunyaz with “stealing state secrets for foreign persons” and “inciting national disunity,” and, following an appeal, China’s Supreme Court sentenced him on February 15, 2000 to 11 years in prison with an additional two years’ deprivation of political rights. It is believed that he was jailed in connection with his research on Uighur history. Throughout his imprisonment, Tunyaz was never permitted a visit from his wife, who is now a naturalized citizen in Japan.“Though Tohti Tunyaz was forced to complete a prison term solely for his peaceful academic work, we are greatly relieved to know that he has in fact been released,” said Larry Siems, Director of Freedom to Write and International Programs. “We call on Chinese authorities to lift all restrictions against him and allow him to rejoin his wife in Japan.”Tunyaz’s release came on the eve of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s first official visit to China, at a time when the Chinese government is cracking down on signatories of Charter 08, a manifesto calling for political forms and human rights inside China. PEN delivered a letter to Secretary Clinton last week urging her to bring up the case of prominent writer Liu Xiaobo, a board member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center who co-authored the charter and who has been detained on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power” since December 8, 2008. If convicted, he could face at least three years in prison. Secretary Clinton will arrive in China on Friday.“Liu Xiaobo, a PEN colleague and one of China’s most forceful voices for freedom of expression, has been detained in clear violation of Chinese and international law in the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown,” Siems said. “If the Chinese government is truly serious about improving its human rights record, as it promised to do before last year’s Olympic Games, it will release him immediately and unconditionally.” A petition calling for Liu’s release, signed by hundreds of PEN members around the world, including Salman Rushdie, Edward Albee, and Margaret Atwood, is currently circulating.PEN American Center is the largest of the 145 centers of International PEN, the world’s oldest human rights organization and the oldest international literary organization. The Freedom to Write Program of PEN American Center works to protect the freedom of the written word wherever it is imperiled. It defends writers and journalists from all over the world who are imprisoned, threatened, persecuted, or attacked in the course of carrying out their profession. For more information on PEN’s work to free all writers currently imprisoned in China, please visit www.pen.org/china.
New York, February 17, 2009—PEN American Center expressed relief today at the news that imprisoned writer, historian, and winner of the 2002 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, Tohti Tunyaz, was released from prison in China last week after serving an 11-year sentence for “stealing state secrets” and “inciting national disunity.” However, concerns remain for the 45 writers still imprisoned in China, including prominent PEN member Liu Xiaobo.According to PEN’s information, Uighur writer Tohti Tunyaz was released from Xinjiang No. 3 Prison in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Prefecture in northwestern China, on expiry of his 11-year sentence. Tunyaz had been studying for his Ph.D in Uighur history and ethnic relations at Tokyo University’s School of Humanities in Japan and was arrested when he returned to his homeland on a research trip in February 1998. On November 10, 1998, Chinese authorities charged Tunyaz with “stealing state secrets for foreign persons” and “inciting national disunity,” and, following an appeal, China’s Supreme Court sentenced him on February 15, 2000 to 11 years in prison with an additional two years’ deprivation of political rights. It is believed that he was jailed in connection with his research on Uighur history. Throughout his imprisonment, Tunyaz was never permitted a visit from his wife, who is now a naturalized citizen in Japan.“Though Tohti Tunyaz was forced to complete a prison term solely for his peaceful academic work, we are greatly relieved to know that he has in fact been released,” said Larry Siems, Director of Freedom to Write and International Programs. “We call on Chinese authorities to lift all restrictions against him and allow him to rejoin his wife in Japan.”Tunyaz’s release came on the eve of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s first official visit to China, at a time when the Chinese government is cracking down on signatories of Charter 08, a manifesto calling for political forms and human rights inside China. PEN delivered a letter to Secretary Clinton last week urging her to bring up the case of prominent writer Liu Xiaobo, a board member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center who co-authored the charter and who has been detained on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power” since December 8, 2008. If convicted, he could face at least three years in prison. Secretary Clinton will arrive in China on Friday.“Liu Xiaobo, a PEN colleague and one of China’s most forceful voices for freedom of expression, has been detained in clear violation of Chinese and international law in the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown,” Siems said. “If the Chinese government is truly serious about improving its human rights record, as it promised to do before last year’s Olympic Games, it will release him immediately and unconditionally.” A petition calling for Liu’s release, signed by hundreds of PEN members around the world, including Salman Rushdie, Edward Albee, and Margaret Atwood, is currently circulating.PEN American Center is the largest of the 145 centers of International PEN, the world’s oldest human rights organization and the oldest international literary organization. The Freedom to Write Program of PEN American Center works to protect the freedom of the written word wherever it is imperiled. It defends writers and journalists from all over the world who are imprisoned, threatened, persecuted, or attacked in the course of carrying out their profession. For more information on PEN’s work to free all writers currently imprisoned in China, please visit www.pen.org/china.
http://www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/bulletins/eritreadawitisaachospitaliseddeniedvisits/
Eritrea: Dawit Isaac hospitalised, denied visits
Published: February 24, 2009
English PEN is deeply concerned at reports that the Eritrean-Swedish journalist and author Dawit Isaac, who has been detained incommunicado without charge for over seven years, was transferred to a military hospital on 11 January 2009. Isaac's whereabouts remain unknown.
Dawit Isaac (born 1964), owner of the now defunct weekly newspaper Setit, playwright and writer, was reportedly transferred from prison to a military hospital operated by the Eritrean Air Force on 11 January 2009, according to an unofficial source. Isaac, who has Swedish citizenship, was said to be receiving medical treatment for an unspecified condition but had no access to visits. It was not known where he was being held.
The report, dated 13 January, was published in the Tigrinya language on the Eritrean diaspora website Eritrea Watch for Human Rights and Democracy, based in Switzerland. It was not possible to verify the report but it was thought to be credible.
Eritrea Watch also indicated that on 13 December 2008 Isaac had been moved to a maximum-security prison in Embatkala, 35km northeast of Asmara, along with 112 other political prisoners, reportedly on the orders of President Issayas Afewerki. The prison is said to have one of the harshest regimes in the country.
In November 2005, Isaac was briefly released for a medical check-up and was allowed to call his family and friends in Sweden. This was due to pressure by groups in Sweden but did not lead to Isaac's release: he was returned to prison two days later with no explanation.
English PEN is calling on the Eritrean authorities to reveal details of his whereabouts and assurances that he is receiving all necessary medical treatment. It also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Isaac and 15 other Eritreans imprisoned for their writings since 2001.
Background:
Isaac was arrested on 23 September 2001 during the crackdown on the private press that saw all eight independent newspapers closed down. He is one of nine print journalists who were arrested at the time and held incommunicado, apparently indefinitely, and without ever being charged or tried. The only accusations made against them have been uncorroborated allegations by the authorities that the journalists were "traitors".
Four of the journalists reportedly died in custody between 2005 and early 2007: Said Abdelkader (Admas), Medhanie Haile (Keste Debena), Yusuf Mohamed Ali (Tsigenay), Fesshaye Yohannes "Joshua" (co-owner of Setit, playwright and poet). Their deaths were attributed to harsh conditions and lack of medical attention. Some sources indicate that that Yohannes had been tortured prior to his death. Emanuel Asrat (Zemen), Temesken Ghebreyesus (Keste Debena), Mattewos Habteab (Meqaleh) and Dawit Habtemichael (Meqaleh) remain imprisoned along with Isaac.
In May 2007, the African Commission on Human and People's Rights of the African Union ruled that the detention of the journalists was arbitrary and unlawful and called on the Eritrean government to release and compensate the detainees. However all five remain detained incommunicado without charge or trial. There are ongoing concerns about severe ill treatment, possible torture, poor health and lack of access to medical care, as highlighted by the four reported deaths above.
At least 11 former government cabinet members have also been held incommunicado without charge or trial since September 2001 on similar charges. Their arrest apparently stemmed from their publication publishing an open letter critical of the government addressed to members of the ruling People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) party in May 2001.
Useful links:
• Committee to Protest Journalists report: http://cpj.org/2009/02/long-held-in-secret-eritrean-jail-dawit-isaac-repo.php • Free Dawit campaign report: http://freedawit.com/?158&lang=eng • International Federation of Journalists report: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/100546/ • Eritrea Watch for Human Rights and Democracy: http://www.ewhrd.org/index.html
Please send appeals:
• Protesting the treatment by the Eritrean authorities of Dawit Isaac, his fellow imprisoned journalists and the 11 former cabinet members, all detained since 2001 for their writing • Calling on the Eritrean authorities to release details of Isaac's health status, medical treatment and whereabouts, as well as that of the other detainees • Calling for the immediate and conditional release of Isaac and the other detained journalists, in line with the 2007 African Commission on Human and People's Rights ruling, as well as that of the 11 former cabinet members detained for their writing
Send your appeals to:
PresidentHis Excellency Issayas AfewerkiOffice of the PresidentP O Box 257, Asmara, EritreaFax: 2911 125123Salutation: Your Excellency
Diplomatic representative in the region:
You may also consider requesting the ambassador or other diplomatic representative of your own country based in Eritrea to raise our concerns about Isaac and the other detainees.
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