Take Action

In the spirit of the Olympics and the international cooperation it embodies, Shi Tao’s poem ‘June’ is spreading around the world, country to country, language to language.

These translations and audio recordings will be presented to the Chinese government as a demonstration of International PEN’s concern for freedom of expression in China, a plea for the release of writers and journalists imprisoned there for their work, and as a celebration of this writer and the poem that has inspired people around the world.

We are Ready ...  for Freedom of Expression

We Are Ready for Freedom of Expression includes online petitions, letter writing campaigns and press releases on new developments in the fight for free expression in China. Follow the count of the number of writers in jail with the countdown toward the Beijing Olympics. Sponsored by American PEN, PEN Canada and Independent Chinese PEN Centres.

PEN Canada's We Are Ready Campaign
American PEN's We Are Ready Campaign
English PEN's We Are Ready Campaign

The PEN Poem Relay Facebook Group

If you have a Facebook account, you can now join the PEN Poem Relay Facebook Group. Members will be sent updates on developments in the PEN Poem Relay, including when the poem arrives at a new location and new translations of 'June' become available, and new ways to Take Action on behalf of writers in prison in China.

International PEN Writers in Prison Committee China Campaign

The International PEN website will be re-launched on Monday, March 31 and will feature actions you can take to campaign for the release of writers in prison in China.

Through its letter-writing campaigns and lobbying of foreign and local governments, PEN seeks to end both custodial and non-custodial forms of repression of writers' free expression. Over the years, many writers have been released from prison, largely due to the international pressure brought about by PEN and other organizations. Nevertheless, these abuses show no sign of abating.

PEN believes there are currently over 38 writers and journalists in Chinese prisons. Help us build international pressure to win their release.

The PEN Poem Relay website will soon have more ways for you to take action to campaign for free expression in China. Please stay tuned...