The WALTIC 2010 resolution:
As we end the first decade of the twenty-first century, societies find themselves increasingly challenged by the political agendas of oppressive governments. Giorgio Agamben spoke of a "state of exception" whereby prison becomes a norm and a prisoner is reduced to "bare life" in the eyes of the judicial powers. The fundamental right to freedom of expression amidst today's deplorable discourse has placed hundreds of writers, poets, literary translators, bloggers and journalists in prison with no recourse for justice.
Silencing of the spoken and written word diminishes a society's possibility to flourish. Hundreds are in prison world wide, enduring intimidation, outright disappearance and even murder. Due to wide gender discrimination around the world, WALTIC highlights that female writers suffer additionally.
WALTIC believes together we can make our voices heard to challenge governments and judicial powers to release writers, poets, literary translators, bloggers and journalists from this unrestrained exercise of power. WALTIC requests all governments and legal bodies ensure their immediate release.
The WALTIC 2010 resolution urges you to be involved today: Defeat the "broad span of the freedom of the sword!"
Mats Söderlund, WALTIC President and poet
As we end the first decade of the twenty-first century, societies find themselves increasingly challenged by the political agendas of oppressive governments. Giorgio Agamben spoke of a "state of exception" whereby prison becomes a norm and a prisoner is reduced to "bare life" in the eyes of the judicial powers. The fundamental right to freedom of expression amidst today's deplorable discourse has placed hundreds of writers, poets, literary translators, bloggers and journalists in prison with no recourse for justice.
Silencing of the spoken and written word diminishes a society's possibility to flourish. Hundreds are in prison world wide, enduring intimidation, outright disappearance and even murder. Due to wide gender discrimination around the world, WALTIC highlights that female writers suffer additionally.
WALTIC believes together we can make our voices heard to challenge governments and judicial powers to release writers, poets, literary translators, bloggers and journalists from this unrestrained exercise of power. WALTIC requests all governments and legal bodies ensure their immediate release.
The WALTIC 2010 resolution urges you to be involved today: Defeat the "broad span of the freedom of the sword!"
Mats Söderlund, WALTIC President and poet
