Uighur Times
6-1-2019
Once a year, the PEN International’s Writers In Prison Committee produces a case list (covering the previous year) of individuals around the world who are detained or otherwise persecuted for their peaceful political activities or for the practice of their profession. This year’s Case List (pages 61 – 64) included 11 Uighur writers and intellectuals who are in prison. The list emphasized the cases of Uighur writers such as Rahile Dawut, Abdukerim Rahman, Qimangul Awut, Abduqadir Jalalidin etc. and provided a detailed description of all of the Uighur writers, academics, poets and intellectuals on pages 61 – 64 of the list. It included formerly detained Ilham Tohti, Omerjan Hasan Bozqir, Gheyret Niyaz, Gülmire Imin, and those who were detained until the end of 2018 such as Yalqun Rozi, Ablajan Awut Ayup etc.
Founded in London in 1921, PEN International is a forum for writers where they meet freely to discuss their work. PEN International promotes literature and freedom of expression and is governed by the PEN Charter. PEN International – PEN’s Secretariat – connects an international community of writers. it is also a voice speaking out for writers silenced in their own countries. Through Centres in over 100 countries, PEN operates on five continents. PEN International is a non-political organisation which holds Special Consultative Status at the UN, Associate Status at UNESCO and Observer Status at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
