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.
“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.
