Apply to Participate in MDLI East Africa Freedom of Expression Litigation Surgery

Deadline: 16 May 2016

The Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) is seeking applications from lawyers based in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi to participate in a forthcoming litigation surgery on the right to freedom of expression that will held in Kampala, Uganda from 8 – 11 August 2016.

All applicants are required to submit for discussion and workshopping a current or potential case involving a violation of the right to freedom of expression.

Objectives

• To identify and provide substantive support to cases on the right to freedom of expression that could be pursued before domestic and/or international fora;
• To assist and build working relationships with lawyers undertaking such cases;
• To equip the participants with the necessary skills and knowledge regarding the international human rights mechanisms available for pursuing freedom of expression cases in East Africa.

Focus Areas

• Defamation (criminal)
• Privacy
• Restriction of the media by means of regulatory measures
• Physical safety of journalists
• Protection of sources
• National security

Eligibility Criteria

• The surgery is open to lawyers from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi;
• The lawyers can either be working in private practice, or be working for or be affiliated with NGOs promoting the right to freedom of expression in East Africa through litigation;
• Exceptionally strong applications from lawyers who have not yet undertaken freedom of expression work, but have experience litigating other human rights cases and have a strong interest in undertaking freedom of expression work will be considered as well. A maximum of 12 participants will be selected;
• The lawyers must have a demonstrated interest in, and/or knowledge of the right to freedom of expression and/or related issues;
• The lawyers must have a demonstrated interest in, and/or knowledge of international and regional human rights law;
• The lawyers must be involved in, or considering, litigating a case or cases that address violations of the right to freedom of expression. With their application, they must submit a case study of a case that they are litigating or intend to litigate that could be discussed and workshopped during the litigation surgery;
• The cases submitted must involve a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression as protected in a national constitution, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the East African Community Treaty or any other relevant domestic/international human rights instrument;
• The working language for the surgery will be English.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit East Africa Freedom of Expression Litigation Surgery.