Imprisoned Uyghur academic named 2023 PEN international writer of courage

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Leading Uyghur professor Rahile Dawut has been named this year’s international writer of courage. Having been missing for six years, last month Dawut was reportedly sentenced to life in prison by Chinese authorities on charges of endangering state security. Dawut was picked by Michael Rosen who, as winner of the PEN Pinter prize, shares the award with a writer of courage, selected from a shortlist of international writers who have actively defended freedom of expression, often at risk to their own safety. Rosen chose Dawut, a global expert on Uyghur folklore, because he had “devoted many hours to the enjoyment...