Judges and public prosecutors in North Macedonia are taking concrete steps forward towards a more efficient response to Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). During the specialised capacity-building session held in Shtip, they strengthened their knowledge and practical skills on the mechanisms to protect freedom of expression and freedom of the media, with special emphasis on recognising and handling SLAPPs.

Organised with the support of EU and Council of Europe, in co-operation with the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors, the training focused on the application of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, relevant case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, and European standards concerning SLAPPs.

Through practical examples, case-based exercises and interactive discussions, participants explored how to identify the characteristics of SLAPPs and assess cases involving freedom of expression. Particular attention was given to balancing freedom of expression with the protection of other rights and to strengthening the practical application of European standards in domestic judicial practice.

This is the third capacity-building session organised this year, as more than 70 judges and public prosecutors in North Macedonia have strengthened their capacities, contributing to a more consistent application of European standards on freedom of expression and to strengthening the judicial response to SLAPPs in North Macedonia. It builds on the pool of certified domestic trainers and supports the sustainable integration of Council of Europe standards and European Court of Human Rights case-law into the continuous professional development of judges and public prosecutors.

This initiative is implemented by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression within the framework of the action “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in North Macedonia”, under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.