Sunday 18 August

The Imprisoned Writers Series at the Edinburgh International Book Festival 

Since 1997, Amnesty International in Scotland has shared the voices of writers whose human rights have been compromised - because they have been imprisoned, exiled or executed for exercising their freedom of expression; because they face challenges in practicing their rights in their daily lives; or because they live in a country where their rights are oppressed.

These events, known as the Imprisoned Writers Series, seek to challenge, move and inspire by sharing writing by those whose freedom of expression is threatened or denied. Each day we are joined by four of the visiting authors who graciously volunteer their time to read the words of writers who cannot be at the Festival.

The Imprisoned Writers Series exists to amplify voices – both voices that cannot be heard because their right to speak has been taken away, and also those voices that we may find uncomfortable to hear. Not all of our authors have experienced detention, but they have all had their rights challenged, and have all fought to claim their rights. 

Present Imperfect 

Today’s event has been curated by our friends at Freedom from Torture.

Freedom from Torture is the only UK-based human rights organisation dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of torture survivors. It was set up by Helen Bamber of Amnesty International to offer direct services to survivors of torture.

The readings today are written by participants in the Freedom from Torture Write to Life creative writing group. The group supports current and former Freedom from Torture clients to tell stories in different art forms. They are the longest-running refugee-writing group in Britain, and the only one specifically for survivors of torture.

The selection today considers how having found safety in asylum, life is often far from perfect for victims of torture and other human rights abuses.

The writers

Baban is a writer from Iraq and member of Write for Life for four years. He has contributed two pieces to today’s event – a prose piece and a poem.

Our other writers have chosen to remain Anonymous.

Take Action

To find out more about Write to Life, follow news on Twitter via #WritetoLife on @FreefromTorture.