PEN INTERNATIONAL Writers in Prison Committee half-yearly CASELIST to December 2012 PEN INTERNATIONAL PEN International Writers in Prison Committee Writers in Prison Committee 50/51 High Holborn London WC1V 6ER Case List – July to December 2012 United Kingdom Tel: + 44 020 74050338 Fax: + 44 020 74050339 e-mail: [email protected] web site: www.pen-international.org.uk PEN INTERNATIONAL Writers in Prison Committee PEN International is the leading voice of literature worldwide, bringing together poets, novelists, essayists, historians, critics, translators, Contents editors, journalists and screenwriters. Its members are united in a common concern for the craft and art of writing and a commitment to The Writers in Prison Committee of Pen International records of persecuted writers are updated daily. For up-to-date information on a freedom of expression through the written word. Through its Centres, PEN operates on all five continents with 144 centres in 102 countries. particular country (or countries), contact the Writers in Prison Committee headquarters in London. Founded in London in 1921, PEN connects an international community of writers. It is a forum where writers meet freely to discuss their work. It is also a voice speaking out for writers silenced in their own countries. The Writers in Prison Committee of Pen International was set up in 1960 as a result of mounting concern about attempts to silence critical voices around the world through the detention of writers. It works on behalf of all those who are detained or otherwise persecuted for their List of cases by country opinions expressed in writing and for writers who are under attack for their peaceful political activities or for the practice of their profession, provided that they did not use violence or advocate violence or racial hatred. Africa 4 Middle East 68 Member centres of PEN International are active in campaigning for an improvement in the conditions of persecuted writers and journalists. They send letters to the governments concerned and lobby their own governments to campaign for the release of detained writers and for inves- The Americas 18 List of Centre with Honorary Members 86 tigations in cases of torture and killings. Through writing to the families and, where possible, directly to prisoners, they provide encouragement and hope. Asia and Pacific 29 Case statistics 87 PEN International has consultative status at the United Nations and with UNESCO. Europe and Central Asia 47 For more visit www.pen-international.org PEN INTERNATIONAL ChARTER Anyone wishing to take action on any individual mentioned in this Caselist should contact the Writers in Prison Committee headquarters for The PEN Charter is based on resolutions passed at its international congresses and may be summarised as follows: any update there may be on the case and for advice on appeals. PEN affirms that: 1. Literature knows no frontiers and must remain common currency among people in spite of political or international upheavals. Explanation of Terms Used 2. In all circumstances, and particularly in time of war, works of art, the patrimony of humanity at large, should be left untouched by national Important: Please Read or political passion. Main Cases 3. Members of P.E.N. should at all times use what influence they have in favour of good understanding and mutual respect between nations; Those cases listed as 'main cases' are those where the Writers in Prison Committee is confident that: they pledge themselves to do their utmost to dispel race, class and national hatreds, and to champion the ideal of one humanity living in i. the person is a writer or journalist or is persecuted because of their writings; peace in one world. ii. the person has not used violence towards his or her aims or advocated racial hatred. 4. P.E.N. stands for the principle of unhampered transmission of thought within each nation and between all nations, and members pledge In these cases, the Writers in Prison Committee will take all possible action for their release or for compensation. In cases where a prisoner is themselves to oppose any form of suppression of freedom of expression in the country and community to which they belong, as well as held without charge or trial for a considerable length of time, the Writers in Prison Committee will consider them to be a main case until and throughout the world wherever this is possible. P.E.N. declares for a free press and opposes arbitrary censorship in time of peace. It unless information is provided which shows that they have used violence or advocated racial hatred. believes that the necessary advance of the world towards a more highly organized political and economic order renders a free criticism of governments, administrations and institutions imperative. And since freedom implies voluntary restraint, members pledge themselves to Judicial concern oppose such evils of a free press as mendacious publication, deliberate falsehood and distortion of facts for political and personal ends. These are cases where the main concern includes convictions based on trial proceedings which were manifestly unfair, where there are serious concerns regarding allegations of torture or where there are other irregularities in the judicial process. In these cases, the Writers in Prison Membership of P.E.N. is open to all qualified writers, editors and translators who subscribe to these aims, without regard to nationality, ethnic Committee calls for a re-trial following fair trial practice or is calling for an investigation of the alleged malpractice and for those found guilty origin, language, colour or religion. of committing such acts as torture to be brought to justice. INformation SOURCES Investigation case The WiPC gathers its information from a wide variety of sources. It seeks to confirm its information through two independent sources. Where An investigation case is one where the Writers in Prison Committee: its information is unconfirmed, it will either take not action, or send an appeal worded to reflect the fact that the information is as yet incom- plete. Sources include press reports, reports form individuals in the region in question, reports from other human rights groups PEN members i. needs more information to ascertain whether a person is a writer or is persecuted for their writings; themselves, embassy officials, academics, prisoners’ families, lawyers and friends, and exile groups. It also works with international NGOs, ii. is not clear as to whether or not he or she has used violence or advocated racial hatred; such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. It is a founder member of IFEX – the International Freedom of Expression Exchange. iii. has insufficient information to confirm that the event has taken place; IFEX is a collaborative, on-line service in which several groups involved in the campaign for free expression pool information. Other members iv is seeking confirmation that the person is still detained. include Article 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Index on Censorship, the International Federation of Journalists and Reporters sans The Writers in Prison Committee publishes details of investigation cases so as to provide a complete account of reports of abuses against Frontieres, as well as regional and national groups. For further details see the IFEX website www.IFEX.org individuals practicising their right to free expression in all countries. However, it will not usually call for their release. Once sufficient information is available, their cases will be reclassified as a main case or dropped as appropriate. Our work would be impossible without our Sponsors who include: '*' by a name indicates that the case is new to the Committee’s list since the last Writers in Prison Committee report. The last report was dated OXFAM/NOVIB, Swedish International Development Foundation, Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Swedish Ministry of Culture, June 2012. the Fritt Ord Foundation, Individual donations and membership fees from PEN members 2 3 Caselist July to December 2012 armed robbers at a press conference in Bertoua. The accusation of plotting edly had until 28 December to reveal his sources for a series of articles entered Moussaye Avenir de la Tchiré’s house at night; he believes they PEN International Writers in Prison Committee to overthrow the government was not mentioned at the press conference. published in Kilum 24 in October and November 2012 that questioned were sent by politicians, apparently to kill him. The director is frequently Details current up to 31 December 2012 All four subsequently appeared before Yaoundé military court before be- the hiring and personnel practices of the management of a missionary- threatened and harassed by politicians due to the freedom with which he ing transferred to Kondengui maximum security prison in Yaoundé. De- run health institution in Bamenda. If he did not reveal his sources, the allows his reporters to express themselves. In June 2012 he was one of tails of trial: The trial of Meyomesse and his three co-defendants began journalist would reportedly be re-arrested and charged with defamation. a group of Chadian journalists who said they had been threatened by a in July 2012 at Yaoundé military court. On 14 December 2012 they were The journalist refused to reveal his sources, but said he would instead government minister. found guilty of armed robbery and illegal sale of gold. The Government publish a rebuttal. AFRICA Commissioner requested a sentence of seven years in prison for Meyo- messe and a fine of 200,000 CFA (£247), which was confirmed on 27 Suspended sentence DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF December 2012. His three co-defendants were reportedly sentenced to Robert MINTYA and Serge SABOUANG: editors of the newspapers terms of between two and nine years in prison. According to Amnesty In- Le Devoir and La Nation respectively, were conditionally released on CONGO ternational, the alleged victims of the armed robbery were not presented 24 November 2010 on orders of the President pending a trial for alleg- Brief detention or even named during the trial and were only referred to as ‘Koreans’ by edly forging the signature of a presidential aide.