pencanada

The Canadian English-language centre of PEN International.
We defend free expression, aid writers in peril, and celebrate literature.

[pencanada @PENCanada]

We are moving to Bluesky.

We do alongside other PEN centres around the world who will no longer post on X as of February 27.

Stay connected to us, our campaigns and #freeexpression work here ⬇️

https://t.co/plnvLfJ0fe

#WritersofTwitter #WritersCommunity

[English PEN @englishpen]

English PEN will cease posting on Twitter/X from 27 February 2025, together with many other PEN centres.

Find out why and where to follow us at the link below 👋
https://t.co/kuCl51IbIA

[PEN International @pen_int]

From today, PEN International will no longer post on X. Follow us today to find out why: https://t.co/flc0o0gCu2

[PEN America @PENamerica]

The Free Narges Coalition has received worrying information regarding the intention to return Narges Mohammadi to prison in Iran. We continue to call for Mohammadi’s immediate and unconditional release.

MORE: https://t.co/vOUlq7SfjY @nargesfnd

[pencanada @PENCanada]

We are moving to Bluesky.

We do alongside other PEN centres around the world who will no longer post on X as of February 27.

Stay connected to us, our campaigns and #freeexpression work here ⬇️

https://t.co/plnvLfJ0fe

#WritersofTwitter #WritersCommunity

[Centre for Free Expression @CFE_TMU]

📣 TODAY at 7 PM: Censoring Books in Schools and Libraries: What does it mean for our future? With Ira Wells & James L. Turk.

Co-sponsors: @CdnSchoolLibrar, @EPLdotCA, @PENCanada, @torontolibrary & @VPL

🔗 Zoom link & more info here: https://t.co/RWTQzxZfoK

[PEN International @pen_int]

PEN International supports and endorses @PENCanada's letter to Montreal authorities, expressing concern over the charges against writer Yves Engler. The Canadian author was detained on 20 February and is currently out on bail.

[pencanada @PENCanada]

Mr. Engler was detained in Montreal on Thursday February 20, 2025, and is currently out on bail.

Read the letter here:

https://t.co/DKYUYy91Ko

[pencanada @PENCanada]

PEN Canada has sent the following letter to the mayor and police chief of Montreal, setting out our concerns with the charges brought against Yves Engler, a Canadian writer:

[pencanada @PENCanada]

The actions taken by the Montreal Police raise serious questions about impartiality and respect for the fundamental rights to freedom of expression.

[pencanada @PENCanada]

This Thursday, join @MasseyCollege for a full day of sessions and high-level strategic brainstorming sessions.

If you can't be there in Toronto, you can tune-in for FREE online.

[Massey College @MasseyCollege]

FEB 27, Massey College is hosting the "Empowering #Afghan Women for Global Justice" Conference which will bring together Afghan women leaders, policymakers and international human rights advocates.

Join in person or online.

See agenda and RSVP: https://t.co/6kQ1t9QACc

[PEN International @pen_int]

We are gravely concerned about the health of British-Egyptian academic, HRD, and mother of @alaa, hospitalised overnight on day 149 of hunger strike. We reiterate our call for @FreedomForAlaa immediately and unconditionally @Keir_Starmer @AlsisiOfficial

https://t.co/WiKRTrh9ur

[Centre for Free Expression @CFE_TMU]

📣 TOMORROW: Censoring Books in Schools and Libraries: What does it mean for our future? With Ira Wells & James L. Turk.

📅 Feb. 26 @ 7 p.m.

Co-sponsors: @CdnSchoolLibrar, @EPLdotCA, @PENCanada, @torontolibrary & @VPL

🔗 Zoom link & more info here:
https://t.co/RWTQzxZfoK

[pencanada @PENCanada]

...protects Mr. Engler’s right to hold and express his opinions and to be free from arbitrary detention.

[pencanada @PENCanada]

PEN Canada is concerned that charges have been brought against Yves Engler, a Canadian writer, who has been detained by Montreal police since Thursday in connection with his publicly expressed opinions on the conflict in Gaza.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms...

[PEN International @pen_int]

Ukraine: Three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion—a war that has taken countless lives and devastated Ukraine’s cultural heritage.

Read the online essay by writer Andrey Kurkov as he reflects on the profound loss ⬇️

https://t.co/9lPE3cGcLA

[The Citizen Lab @citizenlab]

In an opinion piece for the @globeandmail, The Citizen Lab’s @emiledirks, @sienaanstis, @nouraaljizawi, and @ronDeibert underscore how the #HogueCommission’s report missed an opportunity to address transnational repression. Read it here 👇🏽
https://t.co/whTJz3wa6H

[Narges Mohammadi | نرگس محمدی @nargesfnd]

Narges Mohammadi addressed the Italian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Human Rights today.

In her remarks, Mohammadi highlighted the need to end gender apartheid, called for an end to executions in Iran, and emphasized the ongoing struggle for human rights and women's rights in the country.

She also addressed Iran’s transition from religious tyranny to democracy and the challenges the country faces on this path. She highlighted the cases of three activists currently facing execution in Iran—Varisheh Moradi, Pakhshan Azizi, and Sharifeh Mohammadi—urging the Italian Parliament to take a firm stance against the Iranian government. She called on Italian lawmakers to prioritize human rights in all negotiations with Iran, place the fight against gender apartheid at the top of their agenda, and work to end executions while amplifying the voices of the Iranian people.

Narges Mohammadi, in response to the claims made by the Islamic Republic regarding the absence of sexual harassment and the suppression of women in the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, which were presented to Italian representatives, stated: "I am prepared to testify in any court about cases of sexual harassment and rape against women. I have witnessed numerous instances of such violence and have many accounts from women that I can testify about. I consider these claims by the Iranian regime to be lies and deceit, and I clearly declare that the Islamic Republic systematically uses rape and sexual abuse as tools to suppress women."

The public hearing was streamed live on the official WebTV of the Italian Chamber of Deputies at: https://t.co/upajKoqbNV

Here is Introduction Speech by Narges Mohammadi to the Standing Committee on Human Rights – Fact-Finding Inquiry into the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights :

Honorable Members of the Italian Parliament,

I am very pleased to have the opportunity today to speak among you, the elected representatives of the Italian people.

I speak to you at a time when Iranian society is going through difficult and turbulent days filled with protests. University students, women, young people, teachers, workers, retirees, and various sectors of the population take to the streets every day to demonstrate, strike, and protest against the Islamic Republic.

The economic and living conditions of the people are worsening day by day. Poverty, unemployment, and inflation have fueled the people's anger. The country’s environment is at risk of destruction, and the regime responds to these protests with street killings, executions, violence, arrests, imprisonment, and unlawful trials. Meanwhile, the economic and social crises are the direct result of the regime’s policies and systematic corruption.

The Islamic Republic is fundamentally an unaccountable regime, incapable of upholding democracy, freedom, and equality. It is an irreformable regime and, beyond that, an ineffective one.

In this situation, the Iranian people—based on their historical experiences and the tireless struggle of activists over the past 46 years—now seek a transition from tyranny to democracy, meaning the end of the Islamic Republic. Because this regime is the embodiment of dictatorship and one of the main obstacles preventing the people from achieving democracy.

It is crucial to emphasize that this fundamental change in Iran is based on the will, awareness, and demands of the Iranian people. The transition away from the Islamic Republic is aimed at establishing a democratic and secular structure in which human rights and women’s rights are guaranteed, and in which civil society serves as the foundation for public participation and empowerment.

Honorable Members,

You are the representatives of the Italian people. I declare to you that the Islamic Republic does not represent or reflect the will of the Iranian people, as there are no free and fair elections in Iran, and the country’s powerful and decision-making institutions are fundamentally appointed, not elected.

You have witnessed the great uprising of men and women in the magnificent Jina movement, the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. The women of this land endure systematic oppression, repression, and discrimination under this regime. I ask you, the honorable representatives of Italy, to stand with the women of Iran and Afghanistan against gender apartheid. This struggle is difficult, exhausting, and costly for women and for Iranian society. We need global will and determination to put an end to gender apartheid.

We, the Iranian people, are fighting to build a country that contributes to lasting peace in the world—a country where its people live in security, prosperity, and sustainable development, enjoying a dignified and humane life, and working for regional and global security. A country where women enjoy dignity and human rights, and where young people think about life instead of death.

The road ahead of us is difficult, but it leads to a bright and hopeful future. Our victory is certain, though it will not come easily.

I urge you to stand with the people of Iran.
Respect their will and demands, and offer your support.

With hope for victory.
Woman, Life, Freedom.

Narges Mohammadi
19 Feb 2025

Read More : https://t.co/e1o1e1CtJ5

[Narges Mohammadi | نرگس محمدی @nargesfnd]

Second Gathering of Civil Activists in Front of Evin Prison to Protest Executions

Setting Fire to the Gallows Rope in Front of Evin Prison

On Tuesday, February 18 2025, a group of civil activists, including Sedigheh Vasmaghi, Aliyeh Motalebzadeh, Kambiz Noroozzadeh, Hasti Amiri, Shaqayeq Moradi, Ali Nanvaei, Majid Mosafer, Narges Mohammadi, Elham Salehi, and others, gathered in front of Evin Prison.

They called on the public to support the hunger strike of prisoners participating in the No to Execution Tuesdays campaign and chanted, We stand until the death penalty is abolished—until the end.

#Notoexecution #NargesMohammadi

[PEN America @PENamerica]

Follow PEN America on Bluesky: https://t.co/gjJQ2w1Myn

[PEN International - Las Américas y el Caribe @PEN_LAC]

¡Nos vamos! A partir del 27 de febrero, PEN Internacional dejará de publicar en X. Manténgase al día de nuestro trabajo, campañas y defensa de la libertad de expresión uniéndote a nosotros en Bluesky.
Lea nuestra declaración:
https://t.co/p29RUtOCa8