Dr. Nafisi will provide closing remarks at PEN America’s 2021 Commemoration of the Day of the Imprisoned Writer. Since 1981, the Day of the Imprisoned Writer has been an opportunity for the PEN network of 100+ Centers around the world to draw particular attention to a select number of cases illustrating threats to free expression globally. In the 2020 Freedom to Write Index, PEN America found that last year, authorities worldwide jailed at least 273 writers and public intellectuals for their free expression, a number that increased from 238 writers in 2019.

This year, PEN America is preparing a virtual event that will mark the 40th anniversary of the Day of the Imprisoned Writer, gathering attendees and speakers in support of the universal right to freedom of expression worldwide and in defense of imprisoned writers and public intellectuals, sharing the stories of imprisoned writers from countries most notorious for jailing writers and public intellectuals in recent years, and including a focus on Iran and a special tribute to our 2021 Freedom to Write awardees, Baktash Abtin, Keyvan Bajan, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi, currently detained in Evin Prison.

Registration is free and can be accessed here: Link