PEN International
The judges credited PEN (the international association of Poets, Playwrights, Essayists and Novelists) with an effective campaign of raising asylum seeker issues within the Australian conscience an
About this winner
- Year: 2004
- Level: Winner
- Award category: Community Award
About the 2004 nomination
The judges credited PEN (the international association of Poets, Playwrights, Essayists and Novelists) with an effective campaign of raising asylum seeker issues within the Australian conscience and said it was able to bring national and international pressure to bear in seeking the release of asylum seekers in detention.
PEN Sydney created a Writers in Detention Committee in 2001 and, through members Tom Keneally and Rosie Scott, organised the International PEN's Day of the Imprisoned Writers which focused on the plight of asylum seekers in detention in Australia. The work of writers recently released from detention was featured at the Sydney and Melbourne Writers Festivals. PEN also editedAnother Country - an anthology of writing from asylum seekers.
About the Human Rights Awards
The Australian Human Rights Awards is an inspirational showcase of the best in all of us. The Awards honour and celebrate diverse human rights heroes and significant achievements in protecting and promoting human rights in Australia.