[Press Statement] Lawyers for Human Rights Condemns SLAPP Suit Filed Against Centre for Environmental Rights

Lawyers for Human Rights stands in solidarity with its civil society peers in condemning efforts by a subsidiary of Australian mining company Minerals Commodities Limited (MRC) to silence criticism of its controversial plans to mine mineral sands at Xolobeni on South Africa’s Wild Coast. 

Defamation lawsuits filed this month by MRC against two attorneys at the Centre for Environmental Rights and another against a community activist seek damages of over one million rand, after the individuals in question gave presentations citing the environmental risks of the company’s Tormin mineral sands mine.

Such suits, known as Strategic Action Against Public Participation, or “SLAPP” suits, aim to intimidate and silence civil society organisations and activists by burdening them with the onerous costs of defending legal actions until opposition to the relevant issue or project is abandoned.  Given their dangerous ability to chill public debate, SLAPP suits have been made illegal in many jurisdictions on the basis that they impede freedom of speech.

“We reject this transparent attempt to censor the voice of an activist organisation calling attention to a matter of critical public importance,” said Jacob van Garderen, National Director of Lawyers for Human Rights.  “We unreservedly support the excellent and careful work of our colleagues at the Centre for Environmental Rights to help communities in South Africa to realise their constitutional right to a healthy environment.  Such threats must not be tolerated.”

For more details, contact Michael Clements, Environmental Rights Programme on 011 339 1960 or Carol Mohlala, Media and Communications Manager on 079 238 9826