European Anti-Slapp Conference 2024: Full Schedule

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09:30 CET

Conference Opening

Thursday November 14, 2024 09:30 - 09:35 CET

Speakers will welcome participants to the second European Anti-SLAPP Conference and set the tone for discussions to be held during the one-day event focused on the adopted legal instruments in Europe to counter and combat SLAPPs, including with a view to ensuring that implementation of robust protection of public participation across the continent is achieved through the collaboration amongst all relevant stakeholders.

Moderators

Charlie Holt

European Lead, Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef) and Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE)

Charlie Holt leads the European work of Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef), an organisation that works to support climate defenders facing legal retaliation for their work. He sits on the Steering Committee of the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE), co-chairs the UK Anti-SLAPP... Read More →

Flutura Kusari

Senior Legal Advisor, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE)

Flutura leads ECPMF’s legal support programme which has supported hundreds of media workers across Europe. She also advocates with international organisations to improve legislation to defend freedom of expression. During the last decade, she has been engaged in building capacities... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 09:30 - 09:35 CET
Room 1 Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France

Type 2

09:35 CET

Introductory Remarks: Common Action against SLAPPs

Thursday November 14, 2024 09:35 - 10:00 CET

Room 1

In their opening remarks, speakers will present actions undertaken to counter SLAPPs and inform about the newly adopted standards. The crucial role that international organisations, national authorities and civil society play in upholding standards and ensuring their effective implementation at national level will be presented.

Speakers

Bjørn Berge

Deputy Secretary General, Council of Europe

Mr Bjørn Berge serves as the Council of Europe’s Deputy Secretary General since 1 March 2021.As the Deputy Secretary General he is involved in a number of key areas of the work of the Organisation, including advising and overseeing the implementation of the Secretary General’s... Read More →

Gill Phillips

Former Legal Director at The Guardian, Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE)

Gillian Phillips is the Director of Editorial Legal Services for Guardian News & Media Limited (publishers of the Guardian and Observer newspapers and theguardian.com). She was educated at Selwyn College, Cambridge and qualified as a solicitor in 1984 with the law firm Coward (now... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 09:35 - 10:00 CET
Room 1 Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France

Type 2

10:00 CET

National Dimension: Key Steps towards the Implementation of SLAPP Standards - Panel 1

Thursday November 14, 2024 10:00 - 10:45 CET

Room 1

National authorities from Council of Europe member States will present national efforts to transpose and implement anti-SLAPP instruments showcasing legislative and policy initiatives and discussing challenges in the fight against SLAPPs. Highlighting the diverse approaches taken at the domestic level, discussions will provide best examples and inspiration on how countries with different legal systems are integrating European anti-SLAPP standards into domestic laws.

Moderators

Giulia Lucchese

Freedom of Expression and CDMSI Division, Directorate General of Human Democracy and Dignity, Council of Europe, Administrator

Giulia Lucchese serves as Administrator in the Freedom of Expression and CDMSI Division, Directorate General of Human Democracy and Dignity, Council of Europe. She is the former Secretary of the Expert Committee tasked to draft the Council of Europe Recommendation on Countering the... Read More →

Speakers

Tedi Dobi

Deputy Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice of Albania

Tedi Dobi is a well-known professional in the field of justice and European integration, serving as the Deputy Minister of Justice since April 2024. He primarily focuses on the strategic framework of justice and integration issues within the European Union, engaging as the Negotiator... Read More →

Petra Jurina

Head of the Division for General Commercial and Bankruptcy Law, Directorate for Civil, Commercial, and Administrative Law - Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, and Digital Transformation, Croatia

Petra Jurina works as a Head of the Division for General Commercial and Bankruptcy Law in the Directorate for Civil, Commercial, and Administrative Law of the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, and Digital Transformation. She was a Croatian expert in negotiating the 2024... Read More →

Miha Verčko

Director General, Civil Law Directorate, Ministry of Justice, Republic of Slovenia

Director General of the Civil Law Directorate at Ministry of Justice since 2018. Civil Law Directorate is responsible for drafting legislation in the field of civil law graduated from the Faculty of Law in Ljubljana in 2007 and passed the State Bar Exam in 2010.author of scientific... Read More →

Dominika Ziętara

Advisor to the Minister of Justice for Political and Legal Matters, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Poland

Dominika Ziętara - Advisor to the Minister of Justice for legal and political affairs, Director of the Office of Senator Adam Bodnar. She graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Warsaw. At the same university she also studied Journalism and Media Studies with a specialization... Read More →

Beatriz Brown

Policy Lead, Civil Justice Strategy and Growth, Ministry of Justice, United Kingdom

Thursday November 14, 2024 10:00 - 10:45 CET
Room 1 Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France

Type 2

10:45 CET

Testimony: The Human Cost of SLAPPs

Thursday November 14, 2024 10:45 - 11:15 CET

Room 1

Freelance investigative journalist and co-founder of Investigative Collective Spit, Parcival Weijnen will address the devastating impact of a SLAPP firsthand. The interview will highlight the human cost of abusive legal actions, shedding light on the mental, financial, and professional burdens SLAPPs impose on individuals investigating matters of public interest.

Moderators

Charlie Holt

European Lead, Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef) and Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE)

Speakers

Parcival Weijnen

Onderzoeksjournalist, Spit

Parcival Weijnen is a freelance investigative journalist and co-founder of Investigative Collective Spit, a non-profit coop formed by now eight freelance investigative journalists in The Netherlands. Parcival wrote investigative stories on fisheries, financial crimes, public finance... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 10:45 - 11:15 CET
Room 1 Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France

Type 2

11:45 CET

Newly Adopted European Standards to Prevent and Counter SLAPPs - Panel 2

Thursday November 14, 2024 11:45 - 12:30 CET

Room 1

Focus will be on the recent legal instruments introduced in Europe against SLAPPs, including the Council of Europe’s Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to the member States on Countering the Use of Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation CM/Rec(2024)2, the Commission Recommendation of 27/4/2022 on protecting journalists and human rights defenders who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings and the Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings. The scope, purpose, safeguards and remedies provided will be addressed during the presentations. Discussion will also cover how the instruments complement each other, their anticipated impact and their planned review processes.

Moderators

Flutura Kusari

Senior Legal Advisor, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE)

Speakers

Irena Guidikova

Head of the Democratic Institutions and Freedoms Department, Directorate for Democracy, Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity, Council of Europe

A graduate of Political Science from the Universities of Sofia (BG) and York (UK), Irena Guidikova has been working at the Council of Europe since 1994. Her carrier has taken her from youth policy and research, through the future of democracy in Europe, to cultural policy and inclusion... Read More →

Pia Lindholm

Deputy Head of Unit for Civil Justice Directorate-General Justice and Consumers, European Commission

Pia Lindholm works as a Deputy Head of Unit for Civil Justice in Directorate-General Justice and Consumers of the European Commission. She studied law in Helsinki and London and economics in Brussels and trained as a judge in Finland. She joined the Commission in 1995 from the Finnish... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 11:45 - 12:30 CET
Room 1 Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France

Type 2

12:30 CET

Overview of Relevant European Court of Human Rights Case Law on Anti-SLAPP Elements

Thursday November 14, 2024 12:30 - 12:45 CET

Room 1

The presentation will delve into the direct impact that SLAPPs have on fundamental freedoms and human rights protected by the European Convention on Human RIghts, notably Article 10 safeguarding Freedom of Expression. An overview of the most outstanding decisions and judgments of the European Court of Human Rights will be provided.

Speakers

Ali Bozkaya

Lawyer/Freedom of Expression Case Law Coordinator, European Court of Human Rights

I hold a law degree from Dokuz Eylül University in Izmir, Turkey, and advanced postgraduate qualifications, including a Master’s in International and European Law and a PhD in Public International Law from Paris Nanterre University. Since 2011, I have been working as a case-processing... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 12:30 - 12:45 CET
Room 1 Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France

Type 2

14:15 CET

Civil Society’s Crucial Role in Countering SLAPPs - Panel 3

Thursday November 14, 2024 14:15 - 15:30 CET

Room 1

The CASE Coalition is facilitating the efforts of numerous civil society groups — referred to as national CASE working groups — across Europe, working to urge their relevant national authorities to introduce effective anti-SLAPP legislation and policy measures. Representatives from various civil society working groups across different European countries will provide information and updates and discuss the key role that civil society plays in resisting SLAPPs. They will also share their experiences in advocating for victims, raising public awareness, and facilitating legislative and policy progress.

Moderators

Jessica Ní Mhainín

Policy and Campaigns Manager, Index on Censorship

Jessica Ní Mhainín is Policy and Campaigner Manager at Index on Censorship. Since joining Index in 2019, she has led projects relating to media, artistic, academic, and digital freedom - including on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). She has been involved... Read More →

Speakers

Emma Bergmans

Senior Policy & Advocacy Advisor, Free Press Unlimited, Dutch Civil Society Anti-SLAPP Working Group

Emma Bergmans is a Senior Policy & Advocacy Advisor at Free Press Unlimited, working on issues related to the legal intimidation of media workers, the importance of media in exile, and the safety of journalists.Emma chairs the Dutch anti-SLAPP working group and recently published... Read More →

Susan Coughtrie

Director, Foreign Policy Centre, UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition

Susan Coughtrie has been Director of the Foreign Policy Centre, an international affairs think tank, since January 2023. Susan joined FPC in July 2020 to lead the Unsafe for Scrutiny project, which explores the risks and threats facing journalists uncovering financial crime and corruption... Read More →

Sielke Beata Kelner

Advocacy officer, OBCT, Italian Civil Society Anti-SLAPP Working Group

Advocacy Officer at the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and Coordinator of CASE Italia, the Italian anti-SLAPPs working group. With a multidisciplinary and international background, I specialize in the intersection of research and advocacy, focusing on supporting public watchdogs... Read More →

Joanna Szymanska

Article 19, Polish Civil Society Anti-SLAPP Working Group

Joanna works at ARTICLE 19 Europe, leading the work on freedom of expression issues in Central and Eastern Europe – including media freedom, civic space, and digital rights. She is an experienced project coordinator, trainer, and researcher. She holds an M.A. in Russian studies... Read More →

Prof. em. Dirk Voorhoof

Human Rights Centre Ghent University, Legal Human Academy and the Belgian Civil Society Anti-SLAPP Working Group

Prof. dr. em. Dirk Voorhoof lectured European Media and Information Law at Ghent University (1990-2016) and Copenhagen University (2003-2017). He reports on developments regarding freedom of expression, media and journalism in Europe. He is co-founder and member of the European Centre... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 14:15 - 15:30 CET
Room 1 Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France

Type 2

16:00 CET

Capacity Building and Training to Combat SLAPPs - Panel 4

Thursday November 14, 2024 16:00 - 16:50 CET

Room 1

This session will introduce the work of CASE in building resilience to counter SLAPPs. Capacity-building projects and training of the Council of Europe, including the CoE European Anti-SLAPP Training Curricula, which will be presented for the first time during this panel- will be featured. Participants will explore how these initiatives aim to equip relevant stakeholders, including the judiciary, legal professionals and relevant public authorities, with the skills and knowledge needed to identify and defend against SLAPPs.

Moderators

Francesca Carlsson

Policy Manager for Environmental Law and Justice, European Environmental Bureau

Francesca joined the EEB in 2018 and oversees the work of the EEB's team on Environmental Law and Justice, which works on issues related to implementation and enforcement, environmental rights and broad horizontal legal issues such as participatory rights and access to justice, as... Read More →

Speakers

Alina Tatarenko

Head of Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression, Council of Europe

The Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression helps the Council of Europe member States and beyond improve their policies, legislation, environment and capacities in the area of freedom of expression, media, and access to information, in line with the European standards. It works with ministries, parliaments, audio-visual reg... Read More →

Daniel Simons

Greenpeace International | Stichting Greenpeace Council, Senior Legal Counsel Strategic Defence (Attorney-at-law, New York State Bar)

Charlie Holt

European Lead, Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef) and Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE)

Flutura Kusari

Senior Legal Advisor, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE)

Thursday November 14, 2024 16:00 - 16:50 CET
Room 1 Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France

Type 2

16:50 CET

Ensuring Transparency, Collection of Data and Effective Support for Targets and Victims - Panel 5

Thursday November 14, 2024 16:50 - 17:40 CET

Room 1

Experts will discuss efforts to collect relevant data, track and document SLAPP cases, focusing on how a “culture of transparency” is crucial to ensure protection against SLAPPs.
The session will offer an opportunity to showcase current and upcoming strategies for more closely monitoring SLAPPs cases and encouraging action from relevant actors, including the forthcoming CASE European anti-SLAPP Implementation Monitor.

Moderators

Maja Sever

president, TUCJ, EFJ

Maja Sever Personal dataAddressUlica Nikole Tomašića 410000 Zagreb, HrvatskaDay of birth18.08.1971.Mobile phone+385 (99) 634-8321E-mailMaja.Severica@gmail.comLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/maja-sever-570457180/SkillsJournalist – politics and societyTrade Union – journalist... Read More →

Speakers

Florent Duplouy

Platform for the Protection of Journalists Division, Council of Europe

Florent Duplouy, born 1972, is legal counsel to the Safety of Journalists Platform. He advises on compliance with institutional instruments, alerts publishing, researching systemic alerts and drafting annual reports. He has held positions at the Council of Europe in monitoring s... Read More →

Liana Ganea

President, ActiveWatch, ActiveWatch

Liana Ganea is a freedom of speech activist. For the past 25 years, she has been working with ActiveWatch, a human rights NGO and media watchdog in Romania. She is co-author and editor of analyses, guides and research reports on media freedom related issues. Liana holds a BA in Journalism... Read More →

Tina Urso

Chief Operations Officer, Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation

For the last four years Tina has been overseeing, fundraising and coordinating a number of projects at the Daphne Foundation. Tina has been part of the mapping SLAPPs in Europe project, on behalf of CASE.

Rebecca Bonello Ghio

Policy & Projects Officer, European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

Rebecca Bonello Ghio works at the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), which is the largest representative of the profession in Europe with around 320,000 journalists from 77 journalists' organisations from across 45 countries. She has been involved in civil society efforts to... Read More →

Marie Gasser

Legal Officer, European Center for Press and Media Freedom

Before her role as a Legal Officer at ECPMF, Marie gained valuable insights through internships at the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Her academic background includes Master's Degrees from the Universities of Oslo and Hanover, where she focused on freedom of expression... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 16:50 - 17:40 CET
Room 1 Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France

Type 2

17:40 CET

Closing Reflections: From Paper to Action, What Future for the Fight against SLAPPs?

Thursday November 14, 2024 17:40 - 17:50 CET

Room 1

The conference will conclude with a reflection on the progress made during the discussions, promising examples, challenges ahead, and next steps for advancing the fight against SLAPPs in Europe.

Speakers

Matjaz Gruden

Director of the Directorate for Democracy, Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity, Council of Europe

Matjaž Gruden is Director for Democracy at the Council of Europe, which includes Council of Europe activities and programmes in the area of education, including education for democratic citizenship, youth cooperation, civil society, media freedom, culture and cultural heritage, and... Read More →

Thursday November 14, 2024 17:40 - 17:50 CET
Room 1 Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France

Type 2

European Anti-Slapp Conference 2024

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