1 December, 2025: Scottish PEN stands in solidarity with writers, artists and activists arrested in Scotland and charged under the Terrorism Act for protesting in support of the ideal of one humanity living in peace in one world. These protesters include acclaimed Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty and Scottish PEN’s Vice President, Lizzie Eldridge. We support […]

Ken Loach and Paul Laverty standing in solidarity with activists at the Edinburgh Film Festival Today, 26 August, 2025, Scottish PEN released the statement below on the arrest of award-winning Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty, giving its full support to him and other writers and citizens who would exercise their rights to freedom of expression and […]

30 June 2025 – English PEN, Scottish PEN, Wales PEN Cymru and PEN International are deeply concerned by the UK government’s proposal to proscribe the protest group Palestine Action under terrorism legislation. We urge the authorities to reconsider this step and to ensure full respect for the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful […]

image credit: Lilian Wagdy, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s vital writing in his collected works, You Have Not Yet Been Defeated is like an explainer of why the principles of the PEN International Charter are so vital. Scottish PEN is proud to join PEN International, fellow PEN Chapters, Reporters Without […]

On Wednesday 14 February 2024, fifteen UK independent bookshops will hold events to raise money for the PEN Emergency Fund to provide support ringfenced for writers at risk who are in and from Palestine.

The Writers for Peace Committee of PEN International is seeking articles for inclusion in its March 2024 newsletter.

Scottish PEN is a signatory to this statement from PEN International, and asks our members to consider signing.

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.