The Freedom to Write Committee of Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann is honoured to celebrate the life and work of the renowned poets, Varavara Rao (India) and  İlhan Sami Çomak (Turkey), on the occasion of the International Day of the Imprisoned Writer.

Varavara Rao was arrested in August 2018 after an event in support of the struggle of the Dalits –  or Untouchables – for human rights. Imprisoned many times over the years for similar activities, Varavara Rao is currently on release on an interim bail agreement granted on health grounds. Still in serious ill health, the 82-year-old poet will be back in court soon for a decision on his future.

İlhan Sami Çomak was arrested in 1994 and charged with membership of the banned PKK Kurdish militia. He has always denied the charges against him and has said his ‘confession’ was obtained under torture 26 years ago when he was a young student. He remains Turkey’s longest-serving student prisoner. İlhan has written eight books of poetry from solitary confinement, and his autobiography has just been published. His only company during all his time in prison has been a pet bird.