PEN International It is a well-known association of writers with branches in many different countries, including in Latvia.
Her efforts to help people who crossed the border from Belarus led to the opening of a criminal case against Eva Raubiško, which, according to the PEN Club, sets an extremely dangerous precedent.
Authorities say the border crossers are illegal immigrants who were helped to cross the EU’s external borders in collusion with the Lukashenko regime’s state-backed migrant smuggling operation. Robisco and her supporters believe that despite this, arrivals should be treated with compassion and international asylum rights should be fully respected.
By awarding the award to Iva Raubeska, the Latvian PEN club expressed its gratitude for her courage and selfless work, reminding politicians and Latvian society that human rights activists and humanitarian aid providers should not be persecuted in a democratic country, and also expressed concern for the safety of fellow human beings. This means danger to oneself.
Receiving the award, Eva Rubiško said:
“I would like to take this opportunity to mention that asylum seekers are not only stuck at the border, but some of them disappear without a trace or die under unknown circumstances. There is a lack of information about these people and their relatives do not have the opportunity to say goodbye to them.”
Since 2019, the Latvian PEN award has been awarded for significant achievements in promoting freedom of expression, reducing censorship and defending the rights of socially marginalized groups.
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