Date : 8 – 12 April 2019, Kampala, Uganda

Application deadline: Thursday 7 February 2019

The Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) will be running a litigation surgery on the right to online freedom of expression, digital rights and the internet. This specialised, fully funded, legal workshop is for lawyers based in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.  Applications are currently open.The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday 7 February 2019.

All applicants are required to submit a current or potential case for discussion which involves the right to online freedom of expression, digital rights and the internet. If applicants do not have a case they may submit a relevant law, practice or policy relating to online freedom of expression that they would like to see challenged in court.   

Successful applicants will, in addition to attending the litigation surgery training, become active members of a digital rights legal network which will provide opportunities for engagement both regionally and internationally.

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Litigation surgery objectives

MLDI provides legal support to journalists, bloggers and independent media. In recent years, MLDI has supported a significant number of cases involving online media. These have included challenging social media blocking and internet shutdowns, contesting cybercrimes legislation, ‘false news’ laws and intermediary liability, as well as calling for greater protections for online privacy and protection of journalistic sources.

Specifically, the objectives of the litigation surgery training are:

  • To equip participants with the skills and knowledge to litigate using national and international laws as well as regional and international mechanisms relevant to freedom of expression online;
  • To build a digital rights network and help facilitate its engagement with international legal mechanisms and global civil society initiatives; and  
  • To assist and develop working relationships between lawyers undertaking such cases.

Criteria for eligibility

A maximum of 12 participants will attend the training. Participants will be selected on the following criteria:

  • The surgery is open to lawyers who work and reside in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda;
  • Applicants 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 will be considered 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;
  • Applicants must be proficient in English;
  • Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of the right to online freedom of expression, digital rights, internet freedom and/or related issues;
  • The lawyers must have a demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of international and regional human rights law;
  • As part of the application, interested lawyers are asked to submit a case study of a case which they are either litigating or intend to litigate and that could be discussed during the litigation surgery. For participants who do not have a case that is pending it will suffice to have identified a relevant law, practice or policy relating to online freedom of expression that they would like to challenge in court. However, such participants must demonstrate their ability and willingness to pursue the case after the surgery;
  • The cases submitted must involve a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression online;
  • The following non-exhaustive list of themes are a guide for the type of cases that could be submitted with the application: 
    • Cybercrime laws;
    • Intermediary liability;
    • Internet shutdowns;
    • Restriction of online media;
    • Online privacy;
    • National security; and
    • Anonymity online.

MDLI is committed to advancing equality and diversity; and will therefore consider gender, age, and country of origin in the selection of participants.

How to apply

Please complete the attached application form and submit it to Michael Moss at michael.moss@mediadefence.org.

Deadline for applications: Thursday 7 February 2019.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified soon after the closing date and should be available for a Skype or telephone interview on 13 or 15 February 2019.

For information about how MLDI will use and protect your data, please see our privacy policy.

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