Autor/Autorin
Since 2015, author and publisher Gui Minhai has been detained in China without charge or trial. No one knows for sure what Minhai is being charged with, but the Chinese authorities confirm that he is „subject to coercive measures.“
In a statement, Swedish PEN announced that the jury awarded Mr Gui specifically for his work on the right to freedom of expression.
„Gui Minhai ran a publishing house and bookshop based in Hong Kong for many years. He wrote himself and published other authors. A job in the service of freedom of expression. Gui Minhai was arrested for this. The prize honours his tireless work for free speech and is intended to support his release and the right to resume his publishing activities.“
China currently ranks 177th out of 180 nations in Reporters Without Borders‘ press freedom ranking .
„We are delighted to be able to present Gui Minhai with the award, even though he is unable to accept it himself due to his ongoing imprisonment,“ said Jesper Bengtsson, Chairman of Swedish PEN, in a press release. „PEN will work for Mr Gui’s case until his release,“ Bengtsson added.
The Swedish publishing house Kaunitz-Olsson will publish poems by Gui Minhai next year, the title is: „I draw a door on the wall with my finger“. Gui smuggled the poems out of prison. The book will be available from 5 May 2020, reports the news agency Reuters .