Established in 1981 by PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee, and recognised by the UN, Day of the Imprisoned Writer campaign is held each year on November 15th, to highlight individual cases of writers and activists at risk.
➣It is a global day of recognition and solidarity with writers who resist the repression of the basic human right to peaceful freedom of expression.
➣PEN centers and members worldwide mark the day with actions such as letter-writing campaigns, appeals to politicians, publications and public events to shine a light on their colleagues.
➣This year, we join the global campaign to spotlight two brave young writers behind bars, Mohamed Tadjadit (Algeria) and Furkan Karabay (Türkiye)
➣We call for action for them and other young incarcerated peers and Empty Chairs on our platform, namely Amanda Echanis (Philippines), Gulfisha Fatima and Umar Khalid (India), Dr.Mahrang Baloch (Pakistan) Duannis Leon Taboada and Nando OBC (Cuba) and Galal El-Bahairy (Egypt)
➣Find out more about the international campaign for other authors, how you can get involved and support them here.
1- Mohamed Tadjadit (Algeria)
Algerian poet and activist Mohamed Tadjadit, known as “the poet of the Hirak”, was sentenced on 11 November 2025 to five years in prison, on top of the one-year sentence he was already serving, on baseless terrorism-related charges linked to his expression and peaceful activism. He continues to face prosecution in another case for his online posts. A leading voice of Algeria’s 2019 pro-democracy Hirak movement, he has endured years of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and imprisonment for his poetry and activism.
Mohamed who is the winner of the 2025 Freedom of Expression Award in the Arts Category given by Index on Censorship began a hunger strike after his sentencing to protest his continued imprisonment.
Watch the acceptance video
In a joint statement with 19 Algerian, regional, and international organisations, PEN International calls on the Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mohamed Tadjadit and drop all charges against him.
➣Take Action and Write To Mohamed
➣Share: Extract of Mohamed's Poetry and his Interview: "In Algeria, A Poet and A Revolution"
On the anniversary of Algeria’s Hirak Movement, an interview from Al-Jazeera with Mohammed
➣Consider other actions you can take like writing an essay about Mohamed in the press, organising a solidarity event to raise awareness and write messages of support together or making him an honorary member of your university, school or other social communities.
➣Please get in touch to inform us of your actions at [email protected] and PEN International Head of MENA Region, Mina Thabet at [email protected]
2- Furkan Karabay (TÜRKİYE)
Journalist Furkan Karabay, 29, has been held in pre-trial detention in Türkiye since 15 May 2025, charged with “making targets of those tasked to combat terrorism” and insulting President Erdoğan over his reporting and social media posts. He is currently held in solitary confinement and faces a prison sentence of 6 to 15 years on spurious grounds on account of his journalistic work. His next trial is on 2nd of December 2025.
Prosecutors accuse him of naming judicial officials in coverage of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality investigations and of recalling past remarks by Erdoğan. Karabay denies wrongdoing, noting all information was already public.
International Press Institute and 17 Press Freedom Organisations, rights groups call for the release of Furkan Karabayç
Karabay has been repeatedly targeted for his journalism, particularly on government corruption. In April 2025, he received a suspended sentence of nearly two years for allegedly insulting the president in reporting on corruption claims involving Erdoğan’s family. He also faces separate charges—including targeting officials, insulting a public servant, and spreading “misleading information”—after reporting on an opposition mayor’s arrest. In October 2024, he was acquitted of similar charges related to reporting on alleged judicial corruption.
➣Despite his imprisonment, Furkan courageously continues his journalism and reporting on abuses on his X (Formerly Twitter)account
➣Write to Furkan and Learn More
*You can write a letter or postcard of support to Furkan's cell, where is held in solitary confinement, in the largest prison in Europe, Silivri. :
Marmara Cezaevi Kapalı Ceza İnfaz Kurumu A/80 Koğuşu, Silivri/İstanbul, Türkiye, 34570
➣Read and Share: Furkan's Stories From Behind Bars
➣For the Day of the Imprisoned Writer, 15 November, 2025 we compiled and translated his powerful short stories written from behind bars, on the state of prisoners, their guards and the country as a whole. We encourage our readers to share them and amplify Furkan's voice in the lead up to his next trial, 2nd of December 2025.
➣Consider actions like writing an essay about Furkan in the press, organising readings of Furkan's work translated here or making him an honorary member of your university, school or other social communities.
➣PEN Nigeria's young writers recently organised an open mic event, invited their community to read Furkan's work and write solidarity poems for him. A strong example of how solidarity can reach across borders from Nigeria to Turkey.
➣Please get in touch to inform us of your actions at [email protected] and PEN International Head of Europe Region Aurelia Dondo at [email protected]
