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PEN CAMPAIGN URGES REVIEW OF U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT

PEN American Center (PEN) has launched a campaign calling for a review of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, saying the legislation has compromised core American values and damaged U.S. credibility internationally.

With the endorsement of more than 700 writers and artists, including Salman Rushdie and Michael Moore, the PEN Campaign for Core Freedoms is inviting members of the public to sign a statement expressing concern that the Act, passed shortly after 11 September 2001, threatens free expression, harms democracy and disregards international law.

PEN is also inviting individuals to write letters to President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry urging a review of the Act. Bush is pushing Congress to renew and expand the Act, which is due to expire in 2005.

Under the U.S.A. Patriot Act, authorities have expanded their ability to monitor the daily activities and communications of American citizens and residents, says PEN. In the name of fighting terrorism, they have weakened the ability of citizens to monitor government action and have restricted access to information. Authorities have also shown a willingness to violate Constitutional protections and international human rights standards, PEN adds.

Ironically, since 11 September, many governments whom the United States routinely criticises for suppressing free expression now point to the U.S.'s anti-terrorist moves to justify new levels of repression, says PEN. At the same time, PEN's case list of persecuted writers and journalists has grown by more than 50 per cent.

To find out more about the campaign, visit PEN's special campaign website: http://www.pen.org/corefreedoms/action.html

See PEN's global survey of anti-terrorism laws: http://www.pen.org/freedom/antiterror2003.htm