PEN USA’s Freedom to Write Committee carries out campaigns on behalf of eighty specially selected writers who are long-term prisoners of conscience. Each honorary member has several “minders” who work diligently, sometimes for years, on his/her case. Minders write letters to foreign governments and diplomatic representatives, communicate with and provide vital support to the honorary member and his/her family, and encourage American officials to implement sound policy that represents the United States’ commitment to freedom of expression.

Each year PEN USA presents Freedom to Write and First Amendment Awards to individuals and organizations that have produced notable work in the face of extreme adversity or demonstrated exceptional courage in the defense of free expression. The awards are presented each fall at PEN USA’s annual Literary Awards Festival. Funds are collected from our members for the purpose of helping other writers or their families for lawyer’s fees, bail or medical needs.

The First Amendment Action Committee responds to assaults on free speech within American borders. Research is done and alerts are issued solely by the Freedom to Write Committee and are then sent out to members of the First Amendment Action Committee so they are able to respond to such concerns. The Committee is currently investigating and protesting the silencing of the press, violations of academic freedom, restrictions on the Internet, and measures to curb the exchange of ideas within the United States.

As a member of the Rapid Action Network of International PEN, the PEN USA Freedom to Write Committee receives and responds immediately to reports of arrests, attacks, and threats to more than 900 writers currently at risk around the world. Alerts are issued from International PEN via email to committee members, who then write letters of appeal to appropriate officials. Each year PEN USA’s efforts result in the release of dozens of writers worldwide. Recently released writers include Julia Ceclia Delgado of Cuba, Tamrat Zuma of Ethiopia and Esber Yagmurdereli of Turkey.

PEN USA’s Freedom to Write Committee seeks to spotlight ongoing dangers and disturbing new trends in the suppression of expression. We do this by investigating and reporting on regional and country-specific problems. Past efforts include the Nigeria Initiative, aimed at publicizing the link between oil politics and the silencing of dissent in Nigeria, and a coordinated campaign to end violent attacks against journalists in Latin America.

“I’ve often envied those writers in the Western world who can peacefully practice their craft and earn a living thereby… What [the authorities here] cannot stand is that a writer should give voice to the voiceless or organize them for action. In short, they do not want literature on the streets!”
—KEN SARO WIWA, written to PEN USA from his prison cell in Nigeria shortly before his execution.