Scottish PEN is extremely alarmed by reports of recent events in Scotland. On 18 October, The National reported that the Scottish author, human rights campaigner and former diplomat Craig Murray had been detained by members of Police Scotland’s Border Policing Command unit under the UK’s draconian anti-terror laws.

This film by writer, Lizzie Eldridge and director, John Quinn was made in collaboration with Scottish PEN, with music by Mick MacNeil. It is their contribution to the exhibition of commemorative artworks at the Catholic Institute in Floriana, marking the six-year anniversary of her death.

Scottish PEN is extremely alarmed by recent events taking place in Malta. On Tuesday, 3 October, Robert Aquilina, the President of the anti-corruption NGO Repubblika, was abruptly called in for police questioning in relation to a press conference he gave the previous Friday, accusing the public broadcaster, PBS, of censorship. 

Scottish PEN expresses our deepest concerns over the decision by the UK High Court to reject the appeal of Wikileaks founder and publisher Julian Assange against his extradition order to the United States, where he faces up to 175 years in prison for his role in obtaining and publishing classified military and diplomatic documents

Scottish PEN joins PEN International in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Wai Moe Naing, and for all charges against him to be dropped.

[RESCHEDULED] – Due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, events at the Scottish Parliament have been cancelled until after the funeral. Please note the change in date for this event below. Scottish PEN are holding a vigil for Daphne Caruana Galizia, a journalist assassinated in Malta on 16th October 2017. 5 years on, those who […]

The Board of Trustees of Scottish PEN was horrified to learn of the attack on Salman Rushdie in Chautauqua, New York, on 12 August. Our President, Ricky Monahan Brown, immediately joined our colleagues at English PEN in conveying the best wishes of our membership for Sir Salman and offering our solidarity with our friends at […]

Scottish PEN marks the end of LGBT History Month 2022 by sharing a blog by poet, Jay Whittaker. The theme of ‘Blurring Borders: A World in Motion’ has been set by LGBT Youth Scotland for this year’s activities. You can learn more on the LGBT History Month website. Blurring borders – we’ve been here before […]