Scottish PEN notes with great concern that WikiLeaks founder and publisher Julian Assange was refused bail in relation to ongoing attempts of the government of the United States that he be extradited to face espionage and hacking charges.

The 2021 Naomi Mitchison Lecture will focus on issues of women’s rights. Led by Scottish PEN’s Women’s Writers Committee, and featuring guest writer Jenny Lindsay.

During Black History Month, we partnered with Scottish BAME Writers Network to launch the Scottish Black Writers Group. The next meeting of the group is set for Thursday 18th February and features writer Nandi Jola.

During Black History Month, we partnered with Scottish BAME Writers Network to launch the Scottish Black Writers Group. The next meeting of the group is set for Thursday 21st January and features writer Alex Wheatle.

On Thursday 10th December, Just Festival and Scottish PEN hosted a conversation with writers Leela Soma and David Manderson to mark Human Rights Day 2020. Watch a recording of the event below.

On global Human Rights Day over 110 groups from across the UK issue an open letter to the Prime Minister and political leaders, urging them to protect people’s rights and the rule of law, and stand by the Human Rights Act.

During Black History Month, we partnered with Scottish BAME Writers Network to launch the Scottish Black Writers Group. The next meeting of the group is set for Thursday 17th December and features writer Delia Jarrett-Macauley.

In partnership with the University of Strathclyde, this survey from Scottish PEN hopes to assess the impact current defamation law in Scotland has on writers, journalists, editors, publishers, campaigners, and social media users.