Letter to PEN

Suzanne Nossel Executive Director PEN
[email protected]

Karin Deutsch Karlekar Director of Free Expression Programs
[email protected]

Katy Glenn Bass Deputy Director of Free Expression Programs
[email protected]

Shreya Balhara Free Expression Coordinator
[email protected]>

Dear PEN-

Greetings from the Committee for Open Debate on the Holocaust.We are reaching out to progressive organizations to encourage defense of free speech and open discussion.  We are asking people to Speak Up for Free Speech.

Few people know (especially outside Europe) that asking questions or expressing doubt of "Official History" has been made a felony in many Western Countries.  These laws are generally directed at what is called "Holocaust Denial."

The penalties in France can be up to one years in jail. In Austria the maximum sentence is 20 years. The numbers are low, but there is a constant persecution of artists, comedians, and scholars under these laws.

There are many reasons why laws which criminalize discussion and debate are wrong.  CODOH is collecting people's comments regarding these laws. We invite you to participate with a short video for us to post. See our video on YouTube here

Respectfully,

David Merlin,
Committee for Open Debate on the Holocaust
PO Box 20774
York, PA 17402
[email protected]

The enemies of tolerance are not always the same. Nor are their targets. However, one certain sign of bigotry is an unwillingness to allow others to speak.   CODOH Founder Bradley Smith