Statement regarding French author Gabriel Matzneff

In response to the New York Times article on 11 February 2020 that refers to the relationship between French PEN’s president, and independent lawyer, Emmanuel Pierrat, and the writer Gabriel Matzneff, who Pierrat represents, PEN International has completed a review of the case.

As a human rights organization, PEN International naturally abhors any form of sexual misconduct or exploitation. At the same time, the right to a fair trial is a fundamental human right. PEN International and its PEN Centres advocate for fair trial rights worldwide.

At this time, PEN International does not consider Mr Pierrat's professional activities as a lawyer to be inconsistent with his role in PEN.