September 16^th marked two years since the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement started in Iran with unprecedented nationwide demonstrations over the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the Islamic Republic’s morality police. In the weeks following Amini’s death, Iranian authorities increased repression of freedom of expression, arresting people for writing poetry, making music, and lending their names to open letters supporting the Woman, Life, Freedom demonstrations to repress anti-government speech and activism. Iran is now the second largest jailer of writers in the world, and notably, the top jailer for women writers, including Nobel Peace Laureate Narges Mohammadi, and poets Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee and Mahvash Sabet. Even while in prison, these writers continue calling for an end to government repression. Their dream for a more inclusive and democratic Iran prevails. PEN America urges the international community to stand in solidarity with writers in Iran to defend their fundamental right to freedom of expression.

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