Save Russian PEN: Please forward to anyone who might be interested or able to help! R.C.

Wed Mar 29 05:44:13 UTC 2006

PLEASE HELP SAVE RUSSIAN PEN

The Russian PEN Centre is latest victim of Putin¹s campaign against free
speech

English PEN is deeply concerned by the charges recently brought against
Russian PEN that could force the centre to close.  Russian PEN¹s assets have
been frozen after allegations that the organisation has failed to pay land
tax.

The charges come at the height of an apparent crackdown on Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs) in Russia, particularly those with an international
dimension. In spite of strong opposition from both within and outside
Russia, President Vladimir Putin signed a law earlier this year that
severely restricts the organisational and fundraising activities of NGOs.

In November 2005 Russian PEN published a declaration sharply criticising the
proposed law regulating the work of NGOs. The declaration noted: In the
event that the Deputies should pass this law, the main blow will be felt not
just by Russian human rights organisations, but also scientific, cultural
and other humanitarian collectives which already are finding it hard to
exist.¹

Although officers of the Russian PEN Centre appeared before the court with
documentation showing that the Centre is a legal tenant of the property
where it has conducted its business, and that it is not liable for the tax
on the land, the tax office refused to drop the charges. The freezing of its
bank account will shut down the Centre¹s ability to operate at a time when
its work is crucial to protecting freedom of speech in Russia. The Centre
has also been threatened with sequestration of its office equipment and
furnishings.

Vice President Michael Frayn said: Freedom of expression is a delicate
plant in Russian culture, and it needs all the institutional support it can
get. Even the appearance of undermining it would confirm the world¹s worst
fears about the direction of the country's political development.¹

International PEN Secretary Joanne Leedom-Ackerman noted: The Director of
Russian PEN Alexander Tkachenko and Russian PEN members have been courageous
advocates for freedom of expression on behalf of writers in Russia and
throughout the world. PEN members around the globe are deeply disturbed by
the threat to NGOs and by the decision to close Russian PEN.

YOU CAN HELP  International PEN is already halfway to raising $20,000, the
amount that would be necessary to cover the tax bill if the court affirms
that Russian PEN is obligated to pay this.  International appeals may be
helpful in discouraging the court from upholding additional penalties for
late payment on top of the $20,000 tax bill. Russian PEN confirms that if
this sum is raised they will be able to unfreeze their accounts and continue
to operate.  In the event of having to face further penalties, this amount
is enough to forestall any foreclosure or collection efforts, unfreeze
Russian PEN¹s accounts, and put it on some kind of repayment schedule.

If you are able to send a donation, however small, to help RUSSIAN PEN
please send a cheque made out to English PEN (pls write Russian PEN on the
back of the cheque) and send to English PEN, 6-8 Amwell Street, London EC1R
1UQ  by 5pm Monday 3 April

PEN Centres whose members have donated or pledged support so far are:
Scottish PEN, Independent Chinese PEN Centre, Japanese PEN, German PEN, and
PEN American Centre. This, together with private contributions, amounts to
around $12,200 dollars. $3,000 of this  Japanese PEN¹s contribution  has
already been delivered to Russian PEN and is being used to pay for legal
expenses, so does not count toward the goal of $20,000.

Members might also like to send letters in support of Russian PEN to
Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Lukin, and Ella Pamfilova (titles and addresses
below). NB Letters that express concern and emphasise the importance of
Russian PEN, but do not seem accusatory or confrontational are most likely
to be effective and please

Express concern that Russian PEN is in court defending itself on tax
charges, and make clear that the PEN world considers Russian PEN a vital
part of the International PEN community and is watching the case closely

Mention that you understand the question of whether Russian PEN owes these
taxes is very much in dispute, and that you also understand that several
experts, including members of the Moscow Duma, who helped write the relevant
land and tax laws, believe Russian PEN had no obligation to pay taxes under
the agreement under which it occupied its offices.

Emphasise the importance of Russian PEN, with its many illustrious members
representing one of the world¹s great literatures, both for Russian letters
and for PEN and the international literary community.

Appeals to be sent to:

Vladimir Putin

President of the Russian Federation

The Kremlin

Moscow, Russia

Fax: 011 7 095 206 5173; 206 6277

Vladimir P. Lukin

Human Rights Ombudsmen

Tel/Fax 7-495-207 53 37

Ella Pamfilova

Head, President¹s Council on Democracy and Human Rights

103132, Ipatievskiy per., 4/10, Entrance 6

Moscow, Russia

sovetpamfilova at yandex.ru

For further information please contact lucy at englishpen.org

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