DEFEND
Protecting the fundamental rights of advocates for Palestinian freedom
The ELSC provides legal advice and support to individuals and groups facing repression for standing in solidarity with Palestinian freedom. This includes grassroots activists, students, academics, civil society organisations, artists, and cultural institutions. Our approach is rooted in movement lawyering, which means that our work extends beyond individual casework. In every case we take on, we are accountable not only to the individual client but also to the broader movement in solidarity with Palestine. We combine monitoring, defensive strategies, impact litigation, training, and advocacy to build collective power, while ensuring that our strategies are informed by the political contexts the movement is operating within and that they directly contribute to movement goals.
Our Defensive Working Procedure.
In order to effectively defend Palestine advocates who are targeted and silenced for their work, the ELSC offers strategic free legal advice and support.
Working on a case-by-case basis, we advise those in need on their rights at national, regional, and international level. Where active litigation is required and the case fits our scope and areas of expertise, our in-house lawyers in Germany, England, the Netherlands or Italy will represent you. We also coordinate with a growing network of lawyers across Europe to ensure that everyone in the movement has access to the best possible legal advice, representation or referral. In cases that lie beyond our expertise or capacity, we will do our best to identify the right lawyer and experts with the relevant experience, and connect you, while ensuring ongoing collaboration.
Our work includes:
a) Conducting initial interviews with the client apprehending the needs and strategising the most suitable legal and non-legal remedies;
b) Laying down the statement of facts, compiling relevant documents, and introducing the case to the appropriate lawyer;
c) Developing a legal strategy together with clients and lawyers and preparing the case.
Most of our partner lawyers work pro bono or for minimal fees. However, when cases require litigation, which is a lengthy and complex process, this isn’t always possible. Your support can make a difference. Donate to our Legal Aid Fund to help ensure access to justice. For the time being, our capacity is still limited; thus, we are not always able to provide assistance and support to all prospective clients.