Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2025 – They can break our PENs but not our Voices
Every year PEN International marks the Day of the Imprisoned Writer, highlighting the cases of writers who are imprisoned, persecuted, or silenced for exercising their right to free expression. Learn more about this year’s campaign and learn how you can take action.
Exhibition: 12–17 November 2025, Gullhallen, Sentralen
Main Event: 13 November, Gymsalen, Sentralen
About
The Day of the Imprisoned Writer is a global day of recognition and solidarity with writers, journalists and artists who are imprisoned, persecuted or silenced for exercising their right to free expression.
Established in 1981 by PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee, the campaign, happening each year on November 15th, highlights individual cases of writers and activists whose words have been deemed dangerous by those in power. It is a global day of recognition and solidarity with writers who resist the repression of the basic human right to freedom of expression.
On November 15, PEN International and the PEN community worldwide will issue a global call to action to protect writers and journalists imprisoned for their words. From November 15 to December 10 (Human Rights Day), we will shine a light on four voices that have been silenced for speaking out – Rory Branker (Venezuela), Yalqun Rozi (China), Mohamed Tadjadit (Algeria) and Mzia Amaglobeli (Georgia).
This year’s focus prisoners: Free Rory, Mohamed, Mzia and Yalqun!
Give Hope. Write a letter to an imprisoned writer!
PEN Norway’s postcard campaign is an initiative where we send greetings to people who are imprisoned for their words – to show them that they are not forgotten and that we continue to work for their freedom and justice. This action is of great significance for the imprisoned, and their families.
Join us!
Join the campaign in Gullhallen at Sentralen from November 12 to 17. Here you will find materials, postcards, more information about those we are writing to, and instructions on how to send your greeting.
See you there!
Video Message from Narges Mohammadi: – Your Work Gives Writers Strength
Narges Mohammadi has been temporarily released from prison in Iran due to her health condition, but she is constantly facing new threats. She says that the support from PEN’s campaigns for imprisoned writers gives voices like hers the strength to speak out.
Narges Mohammadi’s temporary release in Iran demonstrates how international pressure and attention can aid in the fight against those who want to silence free speakers. At the same time, Narges is still in danger. She has 10 years remaining of her unjust sentence.
As an honorary member of Norwegian PEN and one of those who has received greetings from our many actions over time, she has experienced the importance of the international support that PEN’s campaigns for imprisoned writers can provide.
In this video, sent to Norwegian PEN on the occasion of the day for imprisoned writers, she speaks about the significance of solidarity, the belief that authoritarian forces will ultimately lose, and the determination to continue fighting: “Your work gives writers in Iran the strength to raise their voices higher, to tell their stories louder, and to feel seen, she says, adding: your word reminds the world that freedom of expression is a lifeline.”
“Your work gives writers the strength to raise their voices higher, to tell their stories louder, and to feel seen. Your word reminds the world that freedom of expression is a lifeline.”
See Narges Mohammadi’s video message, dated 12 November 2025 below.
PEN Norway’s cases 2025
PEN Norway calls attention to our honorary members and other activists we have worked for who are imprisoned for using their freedom of expression.
Their words challenge power, expose injustice, and demand truth. For that, they are silenced. Their courage reminds us that free speech is not a privilege, it is a right.
Join us. Read their stories. Raise your voice.
Narges Mohammadi (Iran)
“Democracy is not a gift, nor a given; it is the hard-earned result of generations of struggle, sacrifice, and resistance”.
Maksim Znak (Belarus)
“It’s despicable to judge in secret. It’s low. Embarrassing. And indecent.”
Ilham Tohti (Kina)
“I believe that confronting differences is not frightening. What is truly frightening are silenced suspicions and hatred.”
Ales Bjaljatski (Belarus)
“When will you be released? – they asked me. I am already free, in my soul, was my reply.”
Mahrang Baloch (Pakistan)
“As I sit in this dark cell, surrounded by towering walls, I remind myself that this is a small price to pay for speaking the truth and standing up to authoritarianism. I always read from school books truth comes at a cost, now I am living it. But I do not forget true strength is not measured in chains or walls, it is mental, moral, and ideological. And my ideology shines brighter than this dark prison cell and rises higher than these thick prison walls.”
