Protecting Freedom of Expression by Supporting ECtHR Implementation
EIN Leipzig Capacity-building Conference, November 20-21, 2023.
Earlier this year, EIN launched a new project on freedom of expression in Europe in collaboration with civil society partners. This groundbreaking initiative aims at protecting and upholding the right to free speech through supporting the effective implementation of key judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) across Council of Europe Member States. The EIN is now excited to announce its collaboration with the following civil society organisations:
The project focuses on addressing some of the most pressing challenges faced by European democracies, where free speech violations have become central to the crisis of democratic backsliding. This includes issues such as draconian defamation laws that silence journalists, the undue influence of state or state-affiliated entities on media ownership, and the alarming rise in violence against reporters.
Through this project, we aim at enhancing civil society's engagement into the implementation process of ECtHR judgments by providing CSOs with comprehensive training, resources, mentoring and overall support in addressing the implementation challenges raised in the specific context of judgments pertaining to freedom of expression. By doing so, we seek to empower our beneficiaries and partners to advocate for and promote free speech reforms in their respective countries.
Photo by Rachel Hinman on Flickr
Ultimately, our project's impact aspires to extend to the wider society, thus making every person enjoying the protection of the European Convention on Human Rights a secondary beneficiary of our project. By fostering a greater protection for free speech throughout Europe, we seek to contribute to the development of a society where the exchange of ideas and opinions flourishes, ensuring a vibrant democratic culture for all.
Activities
The EIN organises regular briefings on judgments of the European Court of Human Rights for members of the Committee of Ministers in view of their quarterly Human Rights (DH) meetings, where the implementation of judgments is discussed. These briefings are an opportunity for European civil society organisations to provide the Committee with updated information on the progress of specific cases and advocate for the implementation of ECtHR and as such are an inherent component of the freedom of expression project. To date, within the framework of the so-called project, four cases have been briefed.
As part of the freedom of expression project, our partners and beneficiaries are engaging with the CM judgment execution process and contribute to enhancing full, timely and effective implementation of ECtHR free speech related judgments. To do so, they are submitting communications - as per Rule 9.2 of the CM Rules.
On November 20th and 21st, the European Implementation Network organised a capacity-building conference in Leipzig, Germany. The conference, which gathered more than 40 individuals from 26 European civil society organizations, as well as academics and journalists, aimed to empower civil society and its allies across Europe to promote free speech reforms through the implementation of ECtHR judgments.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Swedish Postcode lottery, Fritt Ord Foundation, and the Isocrates Foundation for their generous funding, which enables us to undertake this important project.
