Skip to content
8918A88B-7EA6-423B-8378-B5E8BEA24524_1_105_c

SLAPP cases – a perversion of rule of law

SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) cases are increasingly being used to silence critical voices. Examples include Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was murdered in 2017, or Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa. The only objective of these strategic yet baseless lawsuits is to intimidate, harass and silence those who dare to speak out. The targeted individuals must read the file, hire a lawyer, appear in court, defend themselves against related smear campaigns. Sometimes, even their bank accounts are frozen. All of this takes away the time and means to do their valuable work.

But the insidious nature of SLAPP cases extends beyond the personal suffering of the victims. These lawsuits also place an immense burden on already strained judicial systems and undermine trust in the legal system.

Today we adopted a report on this issue with great majority:

Latest Articles

EDIRPA: No game-changer
Reports

EDIRPA: No game-changer

The new instrument aims to help member states meet their defence needs through joint procurement. But there will be no parliamentary oversight. And we need much more: a fundamental shift in defense procurement.
Read more »
Josep Borrell: Stop stabilising the Iranian regime!
Democracy

Josep Borrell: Stop stabilising the Iranian regime!

A year ago, the death of Jina Mahsa Amini triggered a new wave of protests in Iran, against which the regime is responding to with brutal violence. The EU's Iran policy needs a new approach.
Read more »
Container port in Świnoujście: I am concerned that the Polish government wants to create a fait accompli
Europe

Container port in Świnoujście: I am concerned that the Polish government wants to create a fait accompli

Why should a controversial project such as the container port in Świnoujście be partly financed by EU funds? I have addressed the question to the European Commission.
Read more »
Netzwerkreise nach Brüssel, Iran-Veranstaltung und Studie der EU-Grundrechteagentur zu Visa für Menschenrechts-Verteidiger*innen
Berlin

Netzwerkreise nach Brüssel, Iran-Veranstaltung und Studie der EU-Grundrechteagentur zu Visa für Menschenrechts-Verteidiger*innen

Seit meinem letzten Monthly war ich viel unterwegs. Berichte von meinen Reisen und Updates zur Parlamentsarbeit lest ihr im Newsletter.
Read more »
Netzwerkreise nach Brüssel: EU-Fördergelder für die Kommune
Europe

Netzwerkreise nach Brüssel: EU-Fördergelder für die Kommune

Für die Reise vom 4.-8. November könnt ihr euch noch bis zum 18. September anmelden!
Read more »