39-519: PEN International (known as International PEN until 2010) is a worldwide association of writers, founded in London in 1921 to promote friendship and intellectual co-operation among writers everywhere. The association has autonomous International PEN centres in more than 100 countries. Other goals included: to emphasise the role of literature in the development of mutual understanding and world culture; to fight for freedom of expression ; and to act as
78-574: A broad spectrum. A grove of trees beside Lake Burley Griffin forms the PEN International memorial in Canberra , Australian Capital Territory. The dedication reads: "The spirit dies in all of us who keep silent in the face of tyranny." The memorial was officially opened on 17 November 1997. A cast-iron sculpture entitled Witness , commissioned by English PEN to mark their 90th anniversary and created by Antony Gormley , stands outside
117-565: A particular profession , the interests of individuals and organisations engaged in that profession, and the public interest . In the United States, such an association is typically a nonprofit business league for tax purposes. In the UK, they may take a variety of legal forms. The roles of professional associations have been variously defined: "A group of people in a learned occupation who are entrusted with maintaining control or oversight of
156-514: A person is qualified in the subject area. Many professional bodies also act as learned societies for the academic disciplines underlying their professions, such as the American Statistical Association . Mehdi Rajabian Mehdi Rajabian ( Persian : مهدی رجبیان ; born October 1989) is an Iranian composer and musician. He was imprisoned for pursuing illegal musical activities in 2013. In 2019, he released
195-453: A powerful message of defiance and the indomitable spirit of music in the face of adversity. The album attracted controversy and potential legal issues for Rajabian, who had been arrested twice in the previous decade for his creative work. Despite being banned in Iran, Rajabian collaborated with an international creative team, including Ukrainian director Roma Goncharenko and musicians from around
234-727: A powerful voice on behalf of writers harassed, imprisoned and sometimes killed for their views. The first PEN Club was founded at the Florence Restaurant in London on October 5, 1921, by Catherine Amy Dawson Scott , with John Galsworthy as its first president. Its first members included Joseph Conrad , Elizabeth Craig , George Bernard Shaw , and H. G. Wells . PEN originally stood for "Poets, Essayists, Novelists", but now stands for "Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, Novelists" and includes writers of any form of literature, such as journalists and historians. The club established these aims: The president of PEN International
273-420: A professional body as "an organisation with individual members practicing a profession or occupation in which the organisation maintains an oversight of the knowledge, skills, conduct and practice of that profession or occupation". The Quality Assurance Agency distinguishes between statutory bodies and regulators that "have powers mandated by Parliament to regulate a profession or group of professions and protect
312-660: A reaction to the collective hunger strike of Mehdi Rajabian and seven other political and ideological prisoners of Evin Prison . Following that, the United States Senate extended the sanctions imposed on Iran for the violation of human rights for another ten years. The citizens of European countries initiated a supporting campaign and a sit-in in front of the Iranian Embassies in different countries while showing his photos. The case of Mehdi Rajabian
351-505: Is Burhan Sönmez . Past presidents since Galsworthy have included E. M. Forster , Alberto Moravia , Heinrich Böll , Arthur Miller , Mario Vargas Llosa , Homero Aridjis , Jiří Gruša , John Ralston Saul and Jennifer Clement . PEN International has its headquarters in London and is composed of autonomous PEN Centres in more than 100 countries around the world, each of which is open to writers, journalists, translators, historians and others actively engaged in any branch of literature. It
390-680: Is a non-governmental organization in formal consultative relations with UNESCO and Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations . PEN summarises its Charter, based on resolutions passed at its International Congresses: PEN affirms that: PEN International Writers in Prison Committee works on behalf of persecuted writers worldwide. Established in 1960 in response to increasing attempts to silence voices of dissent by imprisoning writers,
429-621: Is also a member of IFEX's Tunisia Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of twenty-one free expression organisations that began lobbying the Tunisian government to improve its human rights record in 2005. Since the Arab Spring events that led to the collapse of the Tunisian government, TMG has worked to ensure constitutional guarantees of free expression and human rights within the country. On 15 January 2016, PEN International joined human rights organisations Freemuse [ de ] and
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#1732782379152468-474: The British Library in London. It depicts an empty chair, and is inspired by the symbol used for 30 years by English PEN to represent imprisoned writers around the world. It was unveiled on 13 December 2011. Professional association A professional association (also called a professional body , professional organization , or professional society ) is a group that usually seeks to further
507-598: The Amnesty International, Johnny Depp , the American actor, and Peter Gabriel , the well-known musician initiated a campaign with the motto " Art is not a Crime " to protest against censorship and support Rajabian and all other imprisoned artists. After the imprisonment of Mehdi Rajabian, Åse Kleveland who is a Norwegian an artist and political leader declared her support to him, and asked for unconditional release of him and all artists imprisoned throughout
546-630: The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, along with seven other organisations, to protest against the 2013 imprisonment and 2015 sentencing of musicians Mehdi Rajabian and Yousef Emadi, and filmmaker Hossein Rajabian , and called on the head of the judiciary and other Iranian authorities to drop the charges against them. Ma Thida is the Chair of this committee. The various PEN affiliations offer many literary awards across
585-608: The Iranian music during a few years commencing the learning from the masters of the traditional music and recorded and played several albums, e.g. " Research Album of the History of Iran narrated by Setar " as the Setar player, composer and producer. He has also worked as the sound recordist and the sound recording director in the several music albums. Rajabian was also a student in relation with his professional music activity; after he
624-590: The United Nations, issued a special declaration about the human rights in the world. In the ninth page of the annual declaration, he refers to the conditions of Mehdi Rajabian in the Iranian prisons, and asks the Iranian authorities to release this musician unconditionally. The United Nations in their annual meeting recorded the Mehdi Rajabian name in their annual report, artist who have been imprisoned and under ban for their art. It can be referred to
663-513: The Writers in Prison Committee monitors the cases of as many as 900 writers annually who have been imprisoned , tortured , threatened, attacked, made to disappear, and killed for the peaceful practice of their profession. It publishes a bi-annual Case List documenting free expression violations against writers around the world. The committee also coordinates the PEN International membership's campaigns that aim towards an end to these attacks and to
702-480: The album Middle Eastern in collaboration with a number of other Middle Eastern artists. Rajabian as the first composer who received the Minority Award of the United Nations . Rajabian has collaborated with musicians including Harvey Mason Jr. , Jeff Coffin , Daniel Ho , Wouter Kellerman , Taylor Eigsti , Nicole Zuraitis , Emmanuele Baldini in different projects. He learnt the hierarchies of
741-595: The campaign, including Keyhan Kalhor Iranian musician, Nazanin Bonyadi Iranian-British Actress, Shirin Neshat Iranian-American Artist, Nasrin soutodeh Iranian activist & Lawyer, and Jafar Panahi Iranian Director. Official Reactions After imprisonment of Mehdi Rajabian, senior officials of the world started to react officially to this sentence. For instance, Ban Ki-moon , secretary general of
780-556: The elements of Middle Eastern project. Musicians from all over the Middle East have participated in this project. Due to his arrest, this project was also left unfinished, just like the last ones. As for the music part of the project, the album was released by Sony Music in 2019. The arrest of Mehdi Rajabian followed many reactions as Saeid Boumedouha's lecture, the head of Middle East and North Africa Amnesty International Organization can be noted in this regard. After
819-405: The field of music) and the website of Music Freedom Day supported the protest movement of Mehdi Rajabian. He protested and announced in his Instagram page that his only property is his Setar to be sold to pay the fine as a part of the sentence. Fairy Muse and the website of Music Freedom Day, devoted many pages supporting the protest movement of this Iranian artist. Muse Freeman Foundation supported
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#1732782379152858-513: The freedom of Rajabian. The campaign invited cartoonists around the world to draw a cartoon in support of Rajabian and to picture their time in Evin Prison . Some prominent artists and cartoonists joined the campaign, and a cartoon by the Russian cartoonist Victor Bogorad was a hit online. In Autumn 2021, Mehdi Rajabian released his album Coup of Gods , which conveyed
897-453: The judicial authorities of Iran, could attract the supports of the artists of the world by a 30-day hunger strike, and convince the judicial authorities to give him medical leave for the treatment of diseases arising out of hunger strike. Following that, he could return to the ward 7 too. Mehdi Rajabian was arrested once again on 11 August 2020 for publishing his latest album Middle Eastern . Later on, Fox News reported that he
936-527: The legitimate practice of the occupation;" also a body acting "to safeguard the public interest;" organizations which "represent the interest of the professional practitioners," and so "act to maintain their own privileged and powerful position as a controlling body." Professional associations are ill defined although often have commonality in purpose and activities. In the UK the Science Council defines
975-441: The letters of more than four hundred musicians and media members were handed to Ali Jannati , Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance. The news on the imprisonment of Mehdi Rajabian, the Iranian artist, had globally great worldwide reflection, and it was covered by many news agencies including Washington Post , Guardian , Independent , Al-Arabiya , BBC , Le Figaro , CNN , Al Jazeera etc. Multiple artists joined
1014-400: The period of imprisonment, he went on a hunger strike to protest against the unjust trial, lack of medical facilities in prison, and his transfer to the ward 8 isolating him from his brother. After 14 days of strike, he called off his strike by the interference of the official representative of the prosecutor sent to the prison as an intermediary. However, he published an open letter addressing
1053-493: The protesting speech delivered by Wilfred Moore , the Canadian Liberal Senator in the senate against the Iranian authorities and in support of Mehdi Rajabian. Following that, Philip Luther, the head of Amnesty International published an official video talking about Mehdi Rajabian and asked all artists of the world to launch a worldwide campaign to support him. After organizing an international petition by
1092-417: The protests, Amnesty International via all of its branches around the world launched a campaign and acquired to release this artist and then more than twenty thousand artists across the world joined this campaign. However, before that, the international Free Muse , as the most important institution to track the status of the music artists around the world, launched a campaign and requested all artists in
1131-507: The regime to approve Rajabian being released on bail until the court date. In his previous case back in 2015, after spending two years in prison, Rajabian went on a 40 days hunger strike which forced the authorities to temporarily release him. In the case mentioned earlier, he also had a three years of suspended sentence which now can be executed at any moment. After his release back then, Mehdi Rajabian went on producing Middle Eastern. Music, Painting, Dancing, Photography, and Book writing were
1170-718: The sale of Mehdi Rajabian's instrument. His setar was bought by Johan Verminnen , the Belgian Musician, in a ceremony hold for this purpose, and he was praised as a brave artist. Moreover, the Maestro Hossein Alizadeh, the Iranian setar and tar player, put one of Mehdi's musical instruments in his collection in his support. In 2016 the French organisation The United Sketches started the Cartoon Campaign For Freedom , for
1209-484: The suppression of freedom of expression worldwide. PEN International Writers in Prison Committee is a founding member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), a global network of 90 non-governmental organisations that monitors censorship worldwide and defends journalists, writers, internet users and others who are persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression. It
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1248-505: The use of professional titles" and professional bodies that "are independent membership organisations that oversee the activities of a particular profession and represent the interests of [their] members" and which "may offer registration or certification of unregulated occupations on a voluntary basis." Many professional bodies are involved in accrediting degrees, defining and examining the skills and competencies necessary to practice, and granting professional certifications to indicate that
1287-685: The world to accompany Mehdi Rajabian and protest the prison sentence of this artist. In this campaign, the International PEN Club, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran , the Council of Europe Artists, Songwriters and Composers Council of Europe and twenty other associations joined with Free Muse. Of course, before that, the annual report of Ahmed Shaheed , the UN representative for Human Rights in Iran and
1326-494: The world. On the other hand, a petition was signed by more than 12,000 people of different human right activists and artists addressing the Iranian authorities to review the judicial case of Mehdi Rajabian and several other prisoners. Finally, the United Nations Human Rights Committee unanimously passed a resolution against Iranian government for the flagrant violation of human rights as
1365-496: The world. An unconventional teaser trailer for the album, produced in partnership with Goncharenko, generated interest among global media and the public. The album featured a Brazilian orchestra, two American female singers, and various musicians from the West and the Middle East. Rajabian remained steadfast in his commitment to completing the album, despite facing arrest and potential imprisonment. Ultimately, Coup of Gods served as
1404-438: Was arrested in 2013, he was ceased on continuing education in this field. Rajabian officially participated and monitored the quality of the publication and the music composition. He was arrested by Iranian security forces on 5 October 2013 in his office and transferred to Ward 2A of Evin Prison and was sentenced to more than two months in solitary confinement, while this arrest ceased his personal project. When Rajabian
1443-462: Was arrested, he was recording "Research Album of History of Iran narrated by Setar ", his personal studio, all recordings, hard drives of recorded music were confiscated and the project became silent. Mehdi Rajabian was imprisoned in the ward 7 of Evin Prison in Tehran , but after a contentious struggle with the judicial officer of the prison was sent to the ward 8 for punishment. After 10 months of
1482-724: Was investigated in summer 2015 in Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court by Judge Mughiseh and finally he was charged of unauthorized art activity and insulting religious sanctities and advertisement against the regime and sentenced for six-year prison and fine. This sentence was on appeal to three years, imprisonment in Branch 54 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court and three years of suspended sentence. On Music Freedom Day, "Free Muse" (the international organization for advocating freedom of expression in
1521-500: Was temporarily released on bail until his court date. As Reuters reports, Rajabian "was arrested following media reports that his latest project will include women singing and the publication of a video of a woman dancing to his music". Al Jazeera also reported that he will be on a home arrest until the court date. Worldwide media coverage by Fox News , Reuters , Newsweek , BBC News , ABC , Financial Times , The National , la Repubblica , Al Arabiya , Corriere , etc. has forced
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