European Commission 27 April 2022, COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT analytical supporting document accompanying a Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings ("Strategic lawsuits against public participation") and a Commission Recommendation on protecting journalists and human rights defenders who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings (“Strategic lawsuits against public participation")

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This Commission Staff Working Document analyzes the prevalence of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) in the EU and supports a legislative proposal for a Directive providing civil procedural safeguards in cross-border cases. The document identifies a lack of specific national protections and proposes a toolbox including early dismissal of manifestly unfounded claims, full award of costs, and penalties for abusive claimants. It further outlines non-legislative recommendations for Member States to enhance monitoring, legal training, and support for journalists and human rights defenders.AI