(AGENPARL) – BRUXELLES mer 26 aprile 2023 Over the years, techniques to limit freedom of expression have been refined, in innovative ways, often taking advantage of a legal void or grey zones between legal norms. One of these techniques is that of ‘SLAPPs’ (strategic lawsuits against public participation), a term coined by George Pring and Penelope Canan in the 1980s to indicate an abusive or meritless lawsuit filed against someone for exercising their political rights or freedom of expression in relation to matters of public interest. The purpose of SLAPPs is not to seek justice but to intimidate, silence and drain the financial and physical resources of the targeted victims. Ultimately, SLAPPs have a ‘chilling effect’ that goes beyond the individual case and undermines the building up of a healthy and pluralistic civic space in which citizens can participate actively. The SLAPPs phenomenon does not only affect journalists, activists and environmentalists, but can potentially touch any citizen who makes themselves heard on matters of social relevance. On 27 April 2022, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a directive intended to protect people who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive civil court proceedings with cross-border implications. The proposal is being analysed by the co-legislators. In the Parliament, the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) is discussing the draft report presented on 2 March 2023 and the 332 amendments tabled. Second edition. The ‘EU Legislation in Progress’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Fonte : © Unione europea, 2023 – PE

Fonte/Source: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/it/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)733668