World-renowned writers from China and North America marked International Human Rights Day by launching We Are Ready for Freedom of Expression, a campaign that challenges the Chinese government to release all the writers and journalists it is holding in prisons before the August 8, 2008 opening of the Olympic Games. Noted Chinese authors Liu Xiaobo and Zheng Yi were among those joining international counterparts including Margaret Atwood, Francine Prose, and Salman Rushdie in issuing the challenge on behalf of PEN.

Chinese Dissident Honored for Writings
All Things Considered, NPR

Writers petition China
The World, BBC

Writers Demand China Release Imprisoned Writers
Voice of America

PEN Petitions Chinese Government to Release Imprisoned Writers
Publisher's Weekly

May 6, 2008:
Chinese Authorities Detain Writer Zhou Yuanzhi
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April 30, 2008:
PEN Writer and Chinese Citizen Yu Zhang Denied Entry to Hong Kong
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April 24, 2008:
PEN to Present Petition to Chinese Mission Demanding Release of Jailed Colleagues
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April 18, 2008:
PEN Denounces Detention of Jamyang Kyi
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April 11, 2008:
Yang Tongyan to Receive 2008 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award
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April 10, 2008:
Zhu Yufu Receives Tougher Sentence After Re-Trial
>> More

April 3, 2008:
Hu Jia Sentenced to 3 1/2 Years for for “Inciting Subversion”
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3-18-08: Trial Reinforces Fears Hu Jia Is Being Silenced for His Writings

3-17-08: PEN to China: Let free press tell true story in Tibet

2-8-08: Yu Huafeng Released from Prison in China

2-5-08: Two Releases, One Conviction, One Indefinite Detention: Another Mixed Week in China

2-4-08: Li Changqing Released from Prison in China: Number of Jailed Writers Drops to 40

1-16-08: PEN Concerned About Terms of Release of Cyber-Dissident in China

1-3-08: Activist Hu Jia Arrested in China: Number of Jailed Writers Rises to 42

12-21-07: PEN Protests Crackdown on ICPC

12-21-07: Chinese Police Prevent Prominent Chinese Writers from Meeting in Beijing

12-20-07: PEN Condemns New Detention of Cyber-Dissident in China

12-10-07: Chinese and International Writers Demand Release of Jailed Colleagues Before Beijing Olympics

12-10-07: PEN Letter to Chinese Government

PEN believes the following writers and journalists are imprisoned in China for exercising their right to speak and write freely, as guaranteed under Chinese and international law:

CHEN Shuqing

GUO Qizhen

Dawa GYALTSEN

Jampel GYATSO

HADA

HE Depu

HU Jia

HU Shigen

HUANG Jinqiu (a.k.a. Qing Shuijun)

Korash HUSEYIN

JIN Haike

KONG Youping

Dolma KYAB

Jamyang KYI

LI Zhi

LU Gengsong

LU Jianhua

LU Zengqi

Abdulghani MEMETEMIN

NING Xianhua

QI Chonghuai

SHI Tao

TAO Haidong

Tohti TUNYAZ (pen name MUZART)

WANG Xiaoning

WU Yilong

XU Wei

XU Zerong

YAN Zhengxue

YANG Maodong (a.k.a. Guo Feixiong)

YANG Tongyan (a.k.a. Yang Tianshui)

YANG Zili

Nurmuhemmet YASIN

YUAN Qiuyan

ZHANG Honghai

ZHANG Jianhong (a.k.a. Li Hong)

ZHANG Lin

ZHENG Yichun

ZHOU Yuanzhi

ZHU Yufu


RELEASED

CHING Cheong

LI Changqing

WANG Dejia (pen name Jing Chu)

YU Huafeng