To counter the increasing criminalization of human rights defenders, activists and journalists across the world, Amnesty International, the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF) and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) will publish a briefing on 27 November, outlining a series of legal and advocacy strategies to protect critical voices from discrimination, harassment, prosecution and imprisonment.
The briefing, “Dissent on Trial: Strategies to Counter Rising Criminalization of Activism”— developed in the context of the Campaign to Decriminalize Poverty, Status and Activism — documents the alarming global trend of punishing civil disobedience and peaceful activism by using national security and organized crime laws, defamation laws and Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs). It also provides concrete strategies to resist and counter criminalization at different stages of the legal process – before charges are pressed; during criminal proceedings; and at the sentencing stage.
It’s increasingly important also to build on and amplify specific strategies that could protect human rights defenders facing trials
“Human rights defenders from across are world are facing threats and imprisonment just for speaking out against the climate crisis, the genocide in Gaza or homophobia and transphobia. Our work has long focused on repealing problematic laws that are abused by governments. However, it’s increasingly important also to build on and amplify specific strategies that could protect defenders facing trials,” said Marco Perolini, Amnesty International’s policy expert on the criminalization of dissent.
“Dissent on Trial highlights how specific arguments such as the necessity defence, freedom of expression, and the right to a healthy environment can be successfully used in courts to protect individuals who engage in civil disobedience from harsh criminal sanctions.”
The briefing features stories of human rights defenders from around the world, including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Grégoire is an environmental defender who was arrested and prosecuted for spraying washable orange paint on the Prefecture of Nantes in France, to demand policies to address the use of poor insulation in buildings. Grégoire, who was eventually acquitted, but is currently being prosecuted for another act of civil disobedience, said:
“It’s important to develop legal tools to protect activists who mobilize at the height of the climate emergency. An environmental state of necessity could be one such tool.”
To mark the launch of the briefing, Amnesty International will host a webinar on 27 November, from Johannesburg, at 16:00 SAT. The panel will feature Marco Perolini from Amnesty International, Sithuthukile Mkhize, senior attorney from Centre for Applied Legal Studies, Louise Edwards, director of research and programmes at the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, as well as Grégoire. The event will be hosted by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at Witts University.
To join the webinar, please sign up here:
In person (Johannesburg): https://forms.gle/376Gxgw9i8x5ex19A;
Online: https://forms.gle/QT5PARkQJmREcDRd9
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