Havel Tartan

What is the Havel tartan?

According to PEN International, the global writers' association, “Writers in prison should have been a phrase entering extinction after the death of fascism at the end of World War II. Instead, there are more incarcerated writers in the world today than at perhaps any time since WWII”. The Havel tartan portrays an endless succession of prison cell windows struck through in red, protesting the persecution of writers of conscience in the knowledge that free expression is essential to any healthy society. It is named in honour of the late Václav Havel, the playwright and co-author of Charter 77, a landmark human rights declaration for which he was imprisoned for several years—only to later lead the Velvet Revolution, which peacefully overthrew communism and made him the first president of a free Czechoslovakia. Permission to adopt the Havel name was graciously granted by his wife, Dagmar Havlová Veškrnová, with support from the Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation VIZE 97 and PEN International.

For example, every year the NYC-based Vaclav Havel Center (VHC) confers the Disturbing the Peace award to one or more writers at risk. The recipient of last year's award was the renowned novelist, Sir Salman Rushdie. This year, VHC commissioned Liberation Kilt Company to hand-weave 12 Havel tartan scarves for two award winners—Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy and jailed Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi—as well as for renowned human rights activists, including Martina Navratilova and Peter Gabriel. At the awards Gala in NYC in 2024, a Havel tartan scarf fetched $1500 at auction, proceeds benefitting the Vaclav Havel Center. It was such a honour to work with Bill Shipsey and his team at the Vaclav Havel Center to bring this to fruition. 

Anne & Ian's Deep Dive into the Global Persecution of Writers of Conscience

FAQ

How do governments censor and repress writers and artists?

Authoritarian regimes are increasingly utilizing legal and extra-legal means to silence dissenting voices. These include laws criminalizing "false news" and "terrorism" to target writers and journalists. As examples: 

• China: ‘The Chinese government’s latest effort to control online discourse by constraining the creative use of language and wordplay undermines freedom of expression and threatens China’s linguistic culture. As Orwell warns in his cautionary tale ‘1984’, efforts to diminish language for greater control threatens our ability to express or even conceive new ideas. At a time when the development and exchange of ideas is vitally needed to tackle challenges such as climate change and artificial intelligence, restricting the creative use of language could have far-reaching and unpredictable consequences for Chinese society’, said Urtzi Urrutikoetxea, Chair of PEN International’s Translation and Linguistic Rights Committee.

• Turkey: On 18 October 2024, PEN International joined the International Press Institute (IPI), along with 59 undersigned press freedom and freedom of expression groups, media outlets, and civil society organizations, in condemning the official revocation of the terrestrial broadcasting license of independent radio station Açık Radyo by Türkiye’s broadcast regulator, RTÜK (Radio and Television Supreme Council). This action marks a severe blow to independent radio broadcasting in Türkiye, silencing a platform known for promoting diverse, critical voices and addressing issues of profound public interest. Açık Radyo, an independent and non-profit media organization founded in 1995, has long been a vital source of free expression in Türkiye. Over the past three decades, it has provided an indispensable space for debates on crucial topics ranging from war and peace, environmental and climate struggles to public health, gender equality, and multiculturalism. The decision to revoke its license threatens not only the future of this essential platform but also the broader landscape of independent media in Türkiye.

• Egypt: Despite Egypt being weeks away from its fourth Universal Periodic Review before the UN Human Rights Council in January 2025, Egyptian authorities continue to arbitrarily imprison writers Alaa Abdel Fattah, Galal El-Behairy, and Ashraf Omar in complete disregard for international human rights law. PEN International calls on UN Member States to pressure the Egyptian government to immediately and unconditionally release all individuals arbitrarily detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression. On 17 November 2024, Egyptian poet Galal El-Behairy and his family were subjected to invasive body searches during a visit to Badr 1 prison, to which El-Behairy objected. In response, a prison officer threatened to take him to the torture room in Badr 3 and "do whatever he wants with him." El-Behairy is also suffering from a tumor in his mouth that causes difficulty swallowing and requires urgent medical intervention, but prison authorities continue to deny him access to medical care.

• India: International human rights organizations have condemned the criminal complaint lodged against Mohammed Zubair, an award-winning journalist and fact-checker, and the continued use of sedition laws to target independent reporting and public interest speech. On 27 November 2024, it was publicly announced that the Ghaziabad police had filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Zubair based on multiple legal provisions, including Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This case arises from his social media reporting on comments by controversial Hindu priest Nati Narsinghanand. The FIR cites seven legal provisions, including Section 66 of the IT Act and updated sedition provisions under the BNS, which allow for expansive interpretations to target dissent. Article 14’s database reveals that 13,000 people, including journalists, have been charged with sedition between 2010-2021, demonstrating the pervasive use of these laws to suppress free expression.

• Argentina: On 22 November 2024, PEN International expressed deep concern over the Argentine authorities' attempted censorship of Cometierra by writer Dolores Reyes. The organization urged authorities to cease intimidating and stigmatizing authors, books, and publications and to uphold cultural rights and freedom of expression in the country.

• Cambodia: On 30 September 2024, Mech Dara was detained by members of the Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia, a paramilitary unit responsible for domestic security, after his car was intercepted on an expressway while travelling towards Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. On 1 October, Dara was taken to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court where he was charged with ‘incitement to disturb social security’ under articles 494 and 495 of the Cambodian Criminal Code for several ‘provocative’ social media posts before being transferred to pre-trial detention. Dara’s arrest took place shortly after local officials in Cambodia’s Prey Veng province accused him of attempting to cause ‘social disorder or confusion’ over a since-deleted social media post that reportedly included an image of a quarry excavation at the Ba Phnom religious and cultural site.

• Vietnam: On 20 September 2024, as Vietnam’s latest human rights review at the United Nations formally concluded, PEN International reiterated its concerns over the Vietnamese government’s ongoing efforts to silence dissenting voices through censorship and repression. ‘As Vietnam’s latest human rights review comes to a close, we once again call on the Vietnamese authorities to end their retaliatory campaign of repression and censorship against writers, journalists, bloggers and others for engaging in peaceful expression. While the Vietnamese government continues to misuse the legal system as a tool to silence dissenting voices, its claim that it upholds freedom of expression remains illusory’ said Ma Thida, Chair of PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee.

• Nicaragua: Writer, philosopher, and academic Freddy Antonio Quezada was arrested at his home on 29 November 2023, just hours after writing social media posts critical of the Nicaraguan government. He was subsequently transferred to the Jorge Navarro Penitentiary System in Tipitapa, known as ‘La Modelo’. Family members were repeatedly refused information about Quezada’s legal status. Nicaraguan journalist Víctor Ticay was arrested on 6 April 2023 for covering a religious procession and sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for ‘disseminating false information and conspiracy to destabilize national integrity’. Artists Kevin Laguna and Óscar Parrila were arrested in the northern city of Estelí on 22 November 2023 while painting a mural of Sheynnis Palacios.

• Venezuela: According to information gathered by PAR network from testimonies of Venezuelan artists and activists, security forces arbitrarily detain individuals in the streets, subjecting them to searches and inspections of their mobile devices. Those found to be connected to the protests or actions related to opponents of the government are arrested and, in some cases, tortured, including being forced to witness the torture of their fellow detainees. Direct threats to writers, artists, journalists, and cultural actors for writing about the election, protests, or the situation of detained people are also reported.

Why do marginalized writers face heightened risks?

At its 2024 Annula Congress in Oxford, England, PEN International passed the Resolution on Protection Mechanisms for Writers at Risk, which states: "PEN International’s humanitarian efforts have revealed the particular vulnerabilities and risks writers face on the frontline -- akin to those working in the defence of human rights. It is the ability of writers and cultural actors to hold states accountable through their writing, that keeps them under pernicious state scrutiny. Our humanitarian relief efforts have also underscored the critical interdependence and universality of rights necessary to the protection and promotion of the freedom of expression of writers. Many writers often work alone, in the absence of institutional protections, where avenues of support are often driven by personal networks. These concerns are heightened for marginalised writers -- who lack access to mainstream spaces -- and therefore are additionally disadvantaged when their writing brings them under state scrutiny. This vulnerability can be further heightened when they engage in the defence of themes deemed controversial."

What are the elements in PEN International's multifaceted approach?

PEN International employs a range of strategies to safeguard writers at risk, including:

• Advocacy: Highlighting individual cases of persecution, issuing public statements condemning government actions, and participating in UN mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

• Emergency Assistance: Providing financial aid and logistical support to writers forced to flee their countries or otherwise facing persecution.

• Policy Dialogue: Promoting the development and implementation of robust protection mechanisms at the national and international levels.

• Awareness Raising: Endorsing symbolic platforms, such as the Havel tartan, to spotlight the plight of writers at risk.

What new international protection mechanisms are needed? 

PEN International has called for stronger international frameworks and policies to protect writers at risk. Key proposals include:

• Facilitated Emergency Visas: Providing persecuted writers with expedited pathways to safety.

• Monitoring Mechanisms: Ensuring states are held accountable for their obligations to protect freedom of expression.

• Increased Civil Society Cooperation: Encouraging collaboration among organizations to create a unified front for protecting at-risk writers.

Challenges Faced by PEN International

Despite its impactful work, PEN International faces significant obstacles:

• Funding: Reliance on a small number of donors poses challenges in sustaining programs, particularly emergency assistance initiatives.

• Limited Resources: A small team must address increasing demands, forcing difficult decisions about program financing and potential cuts.

Call to Action

The facts underscore the urgent need for greater support for writers at risk. This includes:

• Financial: Ensuring PEN International can continue its vital work by contributing to its emergency assistance programs.

• Advocacy: Urging policymakers to establish and strengthen protection mechanisms at national and international levels.

• Awareness: Educating the public on the threats faced by writers worldwide and amplifying the voices of those silenced by repressive regimes.

The tireless efforts of PEN International, the Vaclav Havel Center, and other organisations to protect freedom of expression serve as a beacon of hope, but these efforts require sustained global support to ensure writers and artists everywhere can create and speak freely without fear of persecution. Liberation Kilt Company plans to help these organisations achieve their financial, advocacy and awareness goals with a series of tartan goods, from silk scarves and pocket squares to kilts, jacket linings, and more.