Burhan Sönmez (Ankara, 1965) is a writer, university professor of literary theory, and lawyer. A specialist in human rights, he practiced in Istanbul. His commitment and literary talent have earned him, among other awards, the Disturbing the Peace Prize, awarded by the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation, a recognition of writers persecuted for challenging totalitarian regimes. He is a founding member of the Writers Circle PEN International.