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Send a Letter to an Imprisoned Writer
December 18, 2007
Story Continued...
Dear PEN USA Members,
Every year at this time, International PEN puts out a list with the contact information for imprisoned writers and their families so that we can all send seasons greetings. LInks to that list and to a separate document with guidelines for what is appropriate to put into these letters can be found below. Please review these guidelines if you are going to write to any of the prisoners.
In terms of specifics for our center, Shi Tao, who is imprisoned in China and the three Uzbek writers in prison are Honorary Members of this Center, so you should consider writing to them as well as any other prisoners that you would like to support. One caution to keep in mind, letters from America to Cuban prisoners usually elicits the opposite effect. In other words, letters from America can result in harsher treatment for those prisoners so it suggested that we focus on the prisoners in other parts of the world.
With the exception of Cuba, letters from PEN members to the imprisoned writers and their families provide a tremendous emotional lift and I encourage you all to send some letters.
Click here for the names and addresses of select imprisoned writers.
Click here for letter-writing guidelines.
Thanks,
Adam Somers
Executive Director, PEN USA