WiPC Annual Meeting in Zagreb 2023 - REGISTRATION OPEN / Výroční schůze WiPC v Záhřebu

Dear colleagues,

After our last Congress in Uppsala I am grateful that we will have the opportunity to meet again in person at the upcoming WiPC annual meeting from May 12 to 14, 2023. I sincerely hope that all of you would register and be present at the upcoming WiPC gathering in Zagreb, Croatia.

Milí kolegové,

po našem posledním kongresu v Uppsale jsem vděčná, že budeme mít příležitost se znovu osobně setkat na nadcházející výroční schůzi WiPC od 12. do 14. května 2023. Upřímně doufám, že se všichni zaregistrujete a budete přítomni na nadcházejícím WiPC sraz v chorvatském Záhřebu.

Our WiPC meeting will be entitled ‘“Free the Wor(l)d in times of war and repression”. You can review the tentative program attached herein. There will be more practical discussions at the meeting including two round table talks, four panel discussions, two presentation and discussion, one small group discussion and another informal discussion session. National Centers’ updates will be requested in written form, the template of which will soon be sent to all participants in advance.

Naše setkání WiPC ponese název „Osvoboďte svět v dobách válek a represí“. Předběžný program si můžete prohlédnout zde. Na setkání bude více praktických diskusí, včetně dvou rozhovorů u kulatého stolu, čtyř panelových diskusí, dvou prezentací a diskuse, jedné diskuse v malé skupině a dalšího neformálního diskusního sezení. Aktualizace Národních center budou požadovány písemnou formou, jejíž vzor bude brzy předem zaslán všem účastníkům. As you all probably have known, this coming WiPC meeting will be WiPC internal meeting and thus our long-term partner ICORN representatives would be invited there as guests. With limited funding, I really appreciate the generous offer from PEN Croatia to organize this meeting in Zagreb.

Jak jistě všichni víte, nadcházející setkání WiPC bude interním setkáním WiPC, a proto na něj budou jako hosté pozváni zástupci našeho dlouhodobého partnera ICORN. Vzhledem k omezeným finančním prostředkům velmi oceňuji velkorysou nabídku od PEN Croatia uspořádat toto setkání v Záhřebu. Our annual WiPC meeting reflects our commitment to stand up and advocate for the freedom of expression around the globe.

Naše každoroční setkání WiPC reflektuje závazek obhajovat svobodu projevu po celém světě.

Furthermore, from May 16t to 18t after out WiPC meeting, the WfPC will hold its annual meeting in Bled, Slovenia. The driving distance between Zagreb and Bled is only approximately three hours by bus or train, therefore we hope that most of you could also attend WfPC meeting as well.

Kromě toho se od 16. do 18. května po schůzi WiPC bude konat výroční zasedání WfPC ve slovinském Bledu. Dojezdová vzdálenost mezi Záhřebem a Bledem je přibližně tři hodiny autobusem nebo vlakem, proto doufáme, že většina z vás by se mohla také zúčastnit zasedání WfPC.

The registration deadline for WiPC meeting is April 7, 2023. Due logistic reasons, no last-minute registration will be admitted.

PLEASE REGISTER HERE

The registration fee for participation is EUR 250 + accommodation and travel costs.

Uzávěrka registrace na setkání WiPC je 7. dubna 2023. Z logistických důvodů nebude přijata žádná registrace na poslední chvíli. REGISTRUJTE SE PROSÍM HERE Registrační poplatek za účast je 250 EUR + ubytování a cestovní náklady. If you have any further questions on the registration process, please contact Congresses, Committees, and New Centres Manager Olha Mukha at Olha.Mukha@pen-international.org.

Máte-li jakékoli další otázky týkající se registračního procesu, kontaktujte, prosím, manažerku kongresů, výborů a nových center Olha Mukha na adrese Olha.Mukha@pen-international.org

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME:

PEN International Writers in Prison Committee Annual Meeting Free the Wor(l)d in Times of War and Repression 12-14 May 2023 Zagreb, Croatia

The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International works on behalf of persecuted writers worldwide. It was established in 1960 in response to increasing attempts to silence voices of dissent by imprisoning writers and journalists. Working on behalf of persecuted writers worldwide, the WiPC monitors scores of cases across the globe each year, producing the yearly Case List with PEN International Secretariat. In addition to its work on behalf of individual writers, the Committee supports campaigns on issues affecting freedom of expression, including all forms of censorship, criminal defamation, blasphemy, and hate speech along with the specific country-focused campaign for example on China, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, and Turkey.

Friday, 12 May 2023 14:00 – Zagreb city tour

17:00 – Opening ceremony Welcoming speech by Dr. Ma Thida, WiPC Chair’s Keynote speech by Burhan Sonmez, PEN International President Round table on LITERATURE IN TIMES OF WAR AND REPRESSION What is the role of the writer and literature in times of conflict? Featuring a range of writers, including from Belarus, Croatia, and Ukraine, the event will explore why the act of writing and books are needed more than ever, and how the written word can promote greater understanding, hope, and freedom in the face of repression. 20:00 – Welcome reception with official addresses Saturday, 13 May 2023 09:00 – 10:30: Panel on challenges faced by both writers-in-exile and hosting centres WiPC’s work on protection of writers-at-risk and assistance to writers-in-prison for their safety and freedom is challenging in this era as global health and humanitarian visa restrictions and economic recessions are growing. Are our long-term activities and work enough to make real change or effective impact? What do we need to learn more about current and future challenges? How do we make more effective ways and means to defend freedom of not just writers in person but also their work and word? 10:30 – 11:00: Coffee Break 11:00 – 11:45: Committee report and discussion 11:45 – 13:00: DIGITAL AUTHORITARIANISM AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Around the world, digital technologies have provided unparalleled opportunities for the free and open exchange of ideas, and the development of inclusive communities that exist beyond traditional boundaries of geography or culture. The increasing ubiquity of these technologies has resulted in much of our daily lives taking place online, and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this trend. However, our growing reliance on digital technologies has also amplified our exposure and vulnerability to the dangers posed by disinformation, censorship, and surveillance, all of which have been used by authoritarian regimes to divide, manipulate, and repress. With examples ranging from the use of “fake news” legislation to criminalise online dissent to the emergence of panoptic surveillance apparatuses that monitor every aspect of public life, this panel will discuss the rise of digital authoritarianism and its implications for freedom of expression across the globe. 13:00-1400: Lunch 14:00-15:30: Best practices: reaching practical results in single cases

15:30-16:00: Coffee break 1600-1730: CASE LIST PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION For decades, the bedrock work of the PEN network has been the focus on individual cases of writers at risk around the world. In 2022, at least 277 writers in 36 countries spent time behind bars, and countless others faced other forms of harassment. By shining a spotlight on these cases via public campaigns and private advocacy, we aim to offer support and protection to individuals in jail and under threat, as well as drawing attention to the myriad threats to free expression and the freedom to write. How can the network's current products (the global Case List, Freedom to Write Index, and Writers at Risk Database, as well as other country-focused reports) be used to achieve maximum impact? And what are some examples from around the network of success stories in terms of campaigns to free individual writers or shine a spotlight on a country of concern? This session will offer practical information and guidance to members of the WiPC on how to best use these resources and engage in collaborative advocacy to effect meaningful change.

19:00-20:30: Round table public event: THE EUROPEAN NARRATIVES SINCE THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL UNTIL NOW Sunday, 14 May 2023 09:00-11:30 : Regional coordinators’ presentation followed by Regional small group meetings to focus on Issues (Advocacy, Campaign, Protection, Residency, joint-committee activities) (Turkey, Iran, Belarus Action groups?) 11:30-11:45 : Coffee break 11:45 – 13:00 : ACCESS TO FREEDOM PEN International made resolution on threats to freedom of expression and protection of civic space. Access to freedom had been denied in many global regions via repressive legislation (like restricted freedom of association law, national security law, official secret act, foreign agent bill etc), judiciary harassment, administrative decree (systematic ethnic persecution), censorship including banning books, and militarization. Some of our centres in South America, Africa and Asia had to stop running their activities because of this lack of access to freedom. 13:00 – 14:00 : Lunch 14:00 – 15:00 : CRIMINAL DEFAMATION PEN International opposes criminal defamation in all cases and is actively campaigning for the repeal of criminal defamation laws around the globe. Criminalizing defamation, whether of public figures or private individuals, is a disproportionate and unnecessary response to the need to protect reputation. It has a chilling effect and undermines freedom of expression. Issues of reputation should be addressed as civil law matters where the government has no role. 15:00 – 16:00 : Final informer discussion (eg: media strategy) 16:00 – 16:30 : Conclusion remarks 19:00– 21:00: Poetry event FREE THE WORD! on translated work of persecuted writers Monday, 15 May 2023 Departure to Bled (nearly 2 hours).

We are trying our best also to bring speakers and representatives from Global South, so PLEASE SUPPORT US! HOSTED BY PEN Croatia with the kind support of the Ministry of Culture of Croatia PARTNERS: • Bogdan Ogrizović Central Library https://www.kgz.hr/hr/knjiznice/knjiznica-i- citaonica-bogdana-ogrizovica/72 • Cultural and Information Centre of Dubrovnik https://www.kic.hr/ Location: hotel Dubrovnik https://www.hotel-dubrovnik.hr/