Pamuk, Rushdie, Alexievich, and over 1,300 writers: We stand united in condemnation of a senseless war

03.03.2022

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Representatives of PEN International demand to stop the atrocities caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and condemn the war. Their joint statement was published on the official website of the organization.

PEN statement:

Putin’s war is an attack on democracy and freedom not just in Ukraine, but around the world.

We, writers around the world, are appalled by the violence unleashed by Russian forces against Ukraine and urgently call for an end to the bloodshed.

We stand united in condemnation of a senseless war, waged by President Putin’s refusal to accept the rights of Ukraine’s people to debate their future allegiance and history without Moscow’s interference.

We stand united in support of writers, journalists, artists, and all the people of Ukraine, who are living through their darkest hours. We stand by you and feel your pain.

All individuals have a right to peace, free expression, and free assembly. Putin’s war is an attack on democracy and freedom not just in Ukraine, but around the world. We stand united in calling for peace and for an end to the propaganda that is fueling the violence. There can be no free and safe Europe without a free and independent Ukraine. Peace must prevail.

The signatories include Svetlana Alexievich, Orhan Pamuk, Maria Ressa, Olga Tokarczuk, Burhan Sönmez, Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, and many more renowned writers. In total, more than 1,300 writers signed the statement.

A complete list of those who supported the appeal can be found on the organization’s website.

Earlier, it was reported that PEN International demanded to stop the attack on Ukraine, issuing an appeal signed by the regional organizations of the club.

Separate statements from regional PEN clubs supporting Ukraine came from Belarusian, Polish, Georgian, Russian, French, Romanian, and Norwegian branches.