International PEN Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC)
     
The International PEN WiPC half year caselist – January to June 2009 – records 644 cases in this period of imprisonment, attack and even killings of writers, journalists, and publishers in 98 countries. It includes details of 22 deaths directly attributable to the individual’s work, or whose deaths are suspicious. There are also over 200 writers and journalists serving long sentences in contravention of their rights to freedom of expression and association.

The WiPC caselist is a key reference document for PEN members everywhere who are concerned for other writers and journalists globally who suffer restrictions on their right to practice their freedom of expression without hindrance. The caselist is used alongside Rapid Action Network actions, country campaigns and the Honorary Membership program where Centers select individual writers for special work for honorary members.

This caselist is available on the International PEN Website at http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/files/dmfile/CaselistJul09.pdf. And for more on the WiPC’s work visit http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/go/committees/writers-in-prison.