Strategic lawsuit against public participation

Council of Europe expresses concern over rise in threats and pressure against journalists in Europe

"Threats and intimidation, detention of journalists, restrictive legislation, lawsuits or lawsuits filed by a powerful person or organization against persons not belonging to governments and attacks on public media."

MEPs voice concern about the rule of law in Greece

The European Parliament on Wednesday called on the Commission to act over what it described as "grave concerns" about the rule of law in Greece, citing a hostile environment for journalists, the use of spyware against political opponents and journalists and abuse of power by the police.

MEPs adopted the resolution with 330 votes in favor, 254 against, and 26 abstentions.

Serbia Sees Rise in Lawsuits to Silence Media and Activists: Report

Between 2010 and 2020 in Serbia, at least 26 civil lawsuits were brought against journalists, media outlets, civil society organisations and activists as a result of their efforts to monitor rights violations, says a report published on Wednesday by international human rights group Article 19, the ABA Centre for Human Rights, and the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia, NUNS.

Energy Company Urged to Drop Lawsuits Against Kosovo Activists

The Kelkos hydropower plant on the Lumbardhi river in Kosovo. Photo: BIRN.

Rights watchdog Amnesty International on Monday called on Kelkos Energy, a company that operates hydropower plants in a protected area in western Kosovo, to withdraw two lawsuits against two activists who have spoken out against the environmental impact of the projects, Shpresa Loshaj and Adriatik Gacaferi.

Spoof Awards for Intimidating Lawsuits Go to Poland, Croatia

Poland's ruling Law and Justice, PiS party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski and Croatian public broadcaster HRT were given 'awards' on Friday in the first European SLAPP Contest, a parody initiative intended to highlight the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPPs, to intimidate and deter journalists and rights campaigners.

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