Report Launch: Climate Litigation Lab

We are pleased to announce the release of the report from the Climate Litigation Lab, titled “A Focus on Legal Advocacy for Campaigners in Relation to SLAPP Suits,” held in Magaliesburg, South Africa from May 16–17, 2025.

This report consolidates key insights and reflections from the 2025 Lab, bringing together contributions from movement builders, environmental defenders, legal practitioners, and advocates across the continent. It examines the increasing use of Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) as a tool to suppress activism and restrict civic engagement. Drawing on experiences from Nigeria, Egypt, Madagascar, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa, the report highlights how legal frameworks are at times leveraged to intimidate communities and silence resistance to harmful environmental practices.

It also presents practical outputs from the Lab, including insights on the SLAPP Toolkit, a resource designed to help campaigners navigate and respond to SLAPP suits, as well as emerging SLAPP solidarity networks that provide avenues for support and collective action.

We encourage you to read, share, and actively use this report as part of broader efforts to confront legal repression and strengthen protection for environmental defenders across Africa.