In recent years, a somewhat ironic acronym has become increasingly prevalent in public discourse: the term “SLAPP,” which sounds like the word “slap,” is actually an abbreviation for the term “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation”. The term began to be used in the 1980s by professors at the University of Denver to describe lawsuits that lack—wholly or partially—a genuine legal basis but are filed with the purpose of intimidating defendants and preventing their participation in public discourse or criticism of powerful actors.

The Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR) has published the study titled: “Police, Brutality and Fundamental Rights: An overview of police arbitrariness in Greece”. Drawing on its many years of experience, the HLHR presents a comprehensive study on police violence and arbitrariness in Greece, highlighting the systematic nature of the phenomenon.

The Hellenic League for Human Rights and the investigative journalism group The Manifold announce the launch of the project “SLAPP Proof: Advocacy for Freedom of Expression and Information”.

SLAPP Proof comes in response to one of the main challenges in the rights field: the shrinking right to freedom of expression and information is being challenged by the increasingly widespread practice of SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation). The project aims to develop a framework for protection against SLAPPs that will promote freedom of expression, support public participation and strengthen the rule of law in Greece through information, awareness raising and advocacy for protection against SLAPPs.