WiPC 2009 Resolution: Sweden

The Assembly of Delegates of International PEN, meeting at its 75th International Congress in Linz, Austria, from 19-25 October 2009:

Noting that for the past ten years several European cities have been offering refuge to writers in need of protection;

Welcoming that Bangladeshi poet and literary critic Anisur Rahman was invited by the city of Uppsala in September 2009 and has already proven to be well integrated in the cultural life of the city;

Expressing alarm that Anisur Rahman was refused asylum in October 2009 by the Swedish Migration authorities;

Urges the Swedish Migration authorities to be guided by the example set by Uppsala and reconsider its decision and grant him asylum.