Saudi Arabia
Long considered one of the most restrictive countries in the world, political and civil rights in Saudi Arabia are almost nonexistent. Though de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman initially tried to style himself a “reformer,” the situation for human rights has deteriorated further under his rule. The murder of Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Turkey in October 2018 sparked an international outcry and shined a spotlight on the horrific lengths to which the Saudi regime is willing to go to silence its critics. Since coming to power, Bin Salman has presided over a brutal crackdown on all forms of dissent, with especially vicious attacks on women and religious minorities, and a renewed wave of arrests targeting activists, journalists, and intellectuals.
Among those detained and facing charges as a result of their activism are the 2019 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award honorees Eman Al-Nafjan, Loujain Al-Hathloul, and Nouf Abdulaziz. The increasingly dire situation in Saudi Arabia has become a key advocacy focus for PEN America. Our advocacy focuses primarily on ensuring justice and accountability for Khashoggi’s murder and calling for the release of imprisoned writers, academics, and women’s rights activists in Saudi Arabia, particularly our Freedom to Write honorees.
Featured Cases
Recent Developments
House Passes World Press Freedom Day Resolution
"The United States should fight against threats to free expression worldwide for the safety of journalists and the health of democratic society." More
Press Release
House Condemns Saudi Repression of Activists
The Saudi government cannot shirk accountability for its brutal oppression of those voices calling for fundamental freedoms. More
Press Release
UN Report on Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder Calls for Robust U.S. and International Response
"Saudi Arabia's ongoing, flawed trial of alleged perpetrators ignores the clear evidence that Mohammad Bin Salman was behind the killing, and it cannot lead to true justice. We support… More
Press Release
Detention of Writers and Bloggers in Saudi Arabia Latest Development in Crackdown on Dissent
"The ray of hope following the temporary release of three women’s rights activists on March 28, including 2019 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award honoree Eman al-Nafjan, has been quickly… More
Press Release
Writer, Activist, and 2019 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award Honoree Eman Al-Nafjan’s Release a Ray of Hope for Justice
"The PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award has for decades been a powerful tool to pry free courageous writers who take the greatest risks in order to express themselves. While… More
Press Release
PEN America Advocacy
Joint Letter Urges Access and Transparency in Ongoing Trial for Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder
In the interest of credible justice for Mr. Khashoggi and his family, we urge your government to do all that is necessary to help bring much-needed transparency to the… More
Open Letter
A Continued Call: Jamal Khashoggi’s Murderers Must Be Held Accountable
If this murder gets swept under the rug, the Saudis will know they are untouchable. And every other autocrat will have reason to suspect they might be, too. More
Commentary
2019 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award: Nouf Abdulaziz, Loujain Al-Hathloul, Eman Al-Nafjan
PEN America will honor imprisoned writers Nouf Abdulaziz, Loujain Al-Hathloul, and Eman Al-Nafjan with the 2019 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award. More
Profile
PEN America President Jennifer Egan Calls for Justice for Jamal Khashoggi
We can best honor Jamal’s life, his work, and his ultimate sacrifice by insisting upon our right to speak the truth and by protecting those who speak it. More
Transcript