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PEN USA Protests Government Harassment of Russian PEN Center

February 10, 2006

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PEN USA’s Letter to Vladimir Putin:

February 7, 2006

His Excellency Vladimir Putin
President of the Russian Federation
Kremlin
Moscow
Russia

Your Excellency,

PEN Center USA, part of an international association of writers with an 85-year history of defending freedom of expression and the culture of writing, is disturbed by a court decision to freeze the assets of our sister organization, Russian PEN Center. 

Russian PEN Center has been charged with failing to pay property tax on the premises it occupies and from which it conducts its business.  However, the Center only occupies the premises as a tenant, rent-free by agreement with the landlord; therefore the Center should not be liable for property taxes.  Officers of the Center appeared before the court with documentation to this effect, but the court refused to drop charges.

PEN USA is deeply concerned that these charges arise from Russian PEN Center’s recent criticisms of new legislation governing public associations and non-commercial organizations.  Specifically, the Center has expressed concerns that these laws could be interpreted in an arbitrary manner that could threaten the existence of legitimate public service organizations. 

It appears that these charges are being used solely as a means to silence criticism of the Russian government.  We therefore protest the charges against Russian PEN Center as a violation of their right to freedom of expression and association.  Additionally, we urge authorities to grant the Center access to all applicable tax records and to drop the charges of tax evasion against the Center and its Director, General Alexander Tkachenko.

Sincerely,

Mark Lee
Chairman, International
Freedom to Write Committee

Abby Dees, JD
Freedom to Write Coordinator

INTERNATIONAL PEN STATEMENT

7th February 2006

PEN PROTESTS CLOSING OF RUSSIAN PEN CENTRE

International PEN is deeply concerned by the decision to freeze all assets of the Russian PEN Centre under allegations that the organization failed to pay land tax. 

Although officers of the Russian PEN Centre appeared before the court with documentation demonstrating the Centre’s rights as a legal tenant of the property from where it has conducted its business, and that it is not liable for the tax on the land, the tax office refused to drop the charges.  The freezing of its bank account will shut down the Centre’s ability to operate at a time when its activity is paramount.  The Centre has also been threatened with sequestration of its office equipment and furnishings, despite the fact that they will be appealing against the decision.

The charges come amidst an apparent crackdown on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Russia, particularly those with an international component. In spite of strong opposition both within and from outside Russia, President Vladimir Putin signed a law earlier this month that severely restricts the organizational and fundraising activities of NGOs.  This law is one of many under consideration that diminishes the ability of civil society organizations to function effectively in Russia.

In November Russian PEN published a declaration sharply criticizing the proposed law regulating the work of NGOs. The declaration noted, “In the event that the Deputies should pass this law, the main blow will be felt not just by Russian human rights organizations, but also scientific, cultural and other humanitarian collectives which already are finding it hard to exist.”

With a membership of notable writers, including novelist Andrei Bitov and essayist Viktor Erofeev, the Russian PEN Centre was founded in May 1989 with key support from Arthur Miller, 11th International President of PEN, who died a year ago this week.  The Centre has for fifteen years been a powerful advocate for freedom of expression in Russia and the former Soviet Union.

International PEN President Jiri Grusa said, “The development in Russia now is very bad. The action against Russian PEN has the handwriting of the old Soviet system. I feel great sorrow for the Russian people.”

International Secretary of PEN Joanne Leedom-Ackerman noted, “The Director of Russian PEN Alexander Tkachenko and Russian PEN members have been courageous advocates for freedom of expression on behalf of writers in Russia and throughout the world. PEN members around the globe are deeply disturbed by the threat to NGOs and by the decision to close Russian PEN.  They call on the government to ensure that the international human rights standards to which it has committed itself are fully respected.”

International PEN, the worldwide writers organization, was founded in 1921 by, among others, John Galsworthy and H.G. Wells, its first and second International Presidents, with a mission to promote intellectual and artistic interchange among writers and to defend freedom of expression. 

For further information, contact: 
Caroline Whitaker
Executive Director
International PEN
020 72534308
executivedirector@internationalpen.org.uk

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