Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2024: History, Theme and Significance

The Day of the Imprisoned Writer is an annual, international day intended to recognize and support writers who resist repression of the basic human right to freedom of expression and who stand up to attacks made against their right to impart information. This day is observed each year on November 15. It was started in 1981 by PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee.

The Day of the Imprisoned Writer was established by PEN International, a global association of writers that advocates for freedom of expression and literary rights. PEN International was founded in 1921, and it has been actively working to support writers who are at risk, of facing censorship, imprisonment, or persecution for their writings.

The international PEN network of over 100 centers around the world draws particular attention to writers at risk and threats to free expression globally. By detaining or forcefully throttling the voice of writers, media, and journalists, the society, nation, or state deprives them of their individual right to free speech and the public of their right to information. As per PEN America found that last year, at least 273 writers and public intellectuals worldwide were jailed for their free expression, a number that increased from 238 writers in 2019.

This year, marking the 40-year anniversary of the Day of the Imprisoned Writer, PEN America is holding a virtual panel discussion with special remarks from noted writers and Members of Congress in honor of imprisoned and at-risk writers around the world. On this day, the organization remembers their imprisonment and forced absence with an empty chair.

History of the Day of the Imprisoned Writer

The Day of the Imprisoned Writer has its roots in the broader history of PEN International, an organization that has been advocating for freedom of expression and the rights of writers since its establishment in 1921.

The idea for a specific day to focus on imprisoned writers gained momentum during the 1970s. It was a period marked by increased cases of writers and intellectuals being persecuted, imprisoned, or silenced in various parts of the world due to their writings and expressions that challenged oppressive regimes, authoritarian governments, or societal norms.

In 1981, PEN International officially launched the Day of the Imprisoned Writer. The goal was to bring attention to the plight of writers who were incarcerated, harassed, or faced threats for their work. November 15th was chosen as the date for this observance.

Since its inception, the Day of the Imprisoned Writer has served as an annual opportunity for PEN International, its affiliated centers worldwide, and other human rights organizations to draw attention to specific cases of imprisoned writers, promote dialogue about freedom of expression, and call for the release of those detained for their writings.

The day is not only a time to highlight the challenges faced by writers but also to underline the broader importance of freedom of speech and expression as a fundamental human right. Writers, readers, activists, and organizations use this occasion to stand in solidarity with imprisoned writers, to raise awareness about their cases, and to advocate for the protection of free speech globally.

The Day of the Imprisoned Writer continues to be an important part of PEN International’s ongoing efforts to defend writers at risk, promote literary freedom, and advance the principles of human rights and free expression around the world.

The theme for the Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2024

The theme for Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2024 is “Free Them All.” This theme focuses on advocating for the release of writers who are imprisoned for their work and promoting better protection for journalists and activists worldwide. It calls for justice and freedom for those who have been persecuted for exercising their right to free expression.

Significance of the Day of the Imprisoned Writer

The Day of the Imprisoned Writer holds significant importance in drawing attention to the challenges faced by writers who are persecuted, imprisoned, or otherwise oppressed due to their work. Several key aspects contribute to the significance of this observance:

• Freedom of Expression Advocacy: The day serves as a platform to advocate for freedom of expression as a fundamental human right. By focusing on imprisoned writers, it highlights the critical role that writers play in societies and the importance of allowing diverse voices and perspectives to be heard.
• Solidarity and Support: The observance fosters a sense of solidarity among writers, readers, activists, and organizations. It brings attention to individual cases of imprisoned writers, encouraging collective efforts to support and advocate for their release.
• Global Awareness: The Day of the Imprisoned Writer raises global awareness about the challenges faced by writers in different parts of the world. It sheds light on instances of censorship, political persecution, and human rights abuses against those who use their words to express dissent, challenge authorities, or advocate for change.
• Protection of Human Rights: The day contributes to the broader conversation on human rights, emphasizing the right to freedom of expression as outlined in international declarations and agreements. It underscores the need for governments and societies to respect and protect this fundamental right.
• Advocacy for Change: By highlighting individual cases of imprisoned writers, the day becomes a catalyst for advocacy and change. It calls on governments, organizations, and individuals to take action, lobby for the release of writers, and work towards creating an environment where freedom of expression is valued and protected.
• Literary Activism: The Day of the Imprisoned Writer connects literature with activism. It reinforces the idea that words have power, and that the act of writing can be a powerful tool for social change. It encourages writers to continue using their voices despite the risks they may face.
• Preservation of Cultural Diversity: Writers often contribute to the preservation of cultural diversity through their writings. The observance of this day emphasizes the importance of protecting writers who contribute to the cultural richness and diversity of societies.

In summary, the Day of the Imprisoned Writer is a crucial annual event that serves as a rallying point for defending freedom of expression, advocating for the release of writers at risk, and promoting a global environment where writers can express themselves without fear of persecution or imprisonment. It is a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by writers and the collective responsibility to protect and promote the rights of those who use their words to make a difference.

List of authors at risk in India

Here is list of authors in India who are at such risk. The report is compiled on PEN America. As per the list, there are nine such authors, writers, journalists, and educationists. Most of them are detained due to distinct reasons.

• P. Varavara Rao — A renowned Telugu poet and leftist intellectual, Rao has been imprisoned by multiple governments for his viewpoints. In August 2018, he was arrested with other activists accused of inciting inter-caste violence at a protest. Due to ailments, the octogenarian poet has been released on an extended medical furlough since March 6, 2021.
• Arun Ferreira — In August 2018, Ferreira was arrested and detained on politically motivated charges of incitement to violence along with other leftist writer-activists in a coordinated raid. His charge sheet was seized, and his pleas to be granted parole and bail have been repeatedly rejected.
• Sudha Bharadwaj — On August 28, 2018, Bharadwaj’s house was raided, and she was detained for ‘inciting violence on December 30, 2017, as part of a coordinated series of politically motivated arrests of leftist activists in the Bhima-Koregaon case. She applied for medical bail in June 2020 due to her declining health and increased vulnerability to contracting COVID-19 but was rejected. In August, the Bombay High Court rejected her appeal.
• Anand Teltumbde — Leading public intellectual and Dalit activist Teltumbde was charged with inciting caste violence at Bhima Koregaon in 2018, though reports indicate police initiated the conflict. He was taken into custody in April 2020, after his anticipatory bail pleas were rejected.
• Gautam Navlakha — Writer and human rights activist Navlakha was one of many writers and activists arrested for “inciting caste violence” in August 2018. He was released from house arrest in October 2018 but was again taken into custody in April 2020 and remains on trial.
• Durai Guna, Gunasekaran — Guna, a Dalit rights writer-activist, was detained in September 2019 for putting up “defamatory” signs inviting replacements for apathetic government officials. He was arrested again in September 2020 for displaying satirical posters offering training to local officials.
• Vernon Gonsalves — In August 2018, Gonsalves was arrested on politically motivated charges of incitement to violence along with other leftist writer-activists in a coordinated raid. He remains detained awaiting trial and his bail pleas are continually rejected.
• Doddipalya Narasimha Murthy — In October 2019, police arrested Murthy on charges of treason and attempted murder based on allegations from 1994. This was believed to be because of his criticism of the BJP government. He was granted bail on January 8, 2020, and acquitted of all charges on October 3, 2020.
• Hany Babu — A professor of English literature and language, Babu faces charges of “propagating” communist activities, and Maoist ideologies, and plotting anti-state attacks as part of the baseless Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad crackdown on numerous writers and intellectuals.

Observation Dates the Day of the Imprisoned Writer

The Day of the Imprisoned Writer is an annual, international day intended to recognize and support writers who resist repression of the basic human right to freedom of expression and who stand up to attacks made against their right to impart information. This day is observed each year on November 15.

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