European Anti-Slapp Conference 2024

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.