The International Foundation Baltasar Garzón (FIBGAR) has taken the initiative to convene a prominent event that will take place on October 22nd at the renowned Círculo de Bellas Artes. This meeting focuses on a topic of growing concern: SLAPP lawsuits, also known as “gag lawsuits” in Spanish. These lawsuits are structured as a strategy of judicial harassment, used by powerful individuals and entities to manipulate legal systems in order to suppress critical voices, composed of activists, journalists, and non-profit organizations, who exercise their fundamental right to freedom of expression.
The event, promoted by the Spanish group of the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE), will feature distinguished speakers who will facilitate a space for reflection on these legal processes. The impacts of these lawsuits will be analyzed, especially when they stem from acts of citizen participation addressing public interest issues. The event will commence at 10 in the morning and can be globally followed through its live broadcast on FIBGAR’s YouTube channel.
In a significant move to protect critical voices, the European Parliament and Council approved Directive 2024/1069 last April. This legal framework aims to safeguard those involved in public activities from abusive or unfounded legal actions. Now, the responsibility lies with the Member States, who must implement effective national legislation in line with this directive. In Spain, this commitment has materialized within the “Action Plan for Democracy” announced by the Government.
CASE, a coalition comprised of non-governmental organizations from across Europe, has been working diligently for years to safeguard the rights of SLAPP victims, promoting protective measures and comprehensive reforms. In the Spanish context, entities like Xnet, Article 19, Greenpeace, and the Federation of Journalist Unions (FeSP), alongside FIBGAR, lead the national working group, focusing on sharing information, monitoring cases, and promoting anti-SLAPP initiatives.
The goal of the October 22nd event, in addition to raising awareness of the phenomenon of SLAPPs in Spain, is to lay the groundwork for a constructive debate on the implementation of the aforementioned European directive. CASE emphasizes that “the threat posed by SLAPPs is too great to face alone. Therefore, civil society organizations stand united against these increasing attacks on democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.”
via: MiMub in Spanish
