BRUSSELS, 18th March, 2024 (WAM) -- The European Council on Tuesday adopted a law to protect persons who speak out on matters of public interest against abusive lawsuits meant to silence them.
Persons targeted by so-called strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP), typically journalists and human rights defenders, will benefit from a number of procedural safeguards and measures. These safeguards and measures will apply to manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings in civil matters with cross-border implications.
Individuals targeted by SLAPP cases can ask the court to dismiss a manifestly unfounded claim at the earliest possible stage, if proceedings are found abusive.
The directive will enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member states have two years thereafter to transpose the law into national legislation.