The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) is the first and only independent organisation defending and empowering the Palestine solidarity movement in Europe through legal means. We provide free legal advice and assistance to associations, human rights NGOs, groups and individuals advocating for Palestinian rights in mainland Europe and the United Kingdom.
We develop effective legal defence strategies with lawyers against disinformation, smear campaigns and discriminatory policies to protect the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly; document and analyse the restrictive measures that result in “shrinking space” for civil society defending Palestinian rights across Europe; and facilitate and promote strategic litigation against public and private actors involved in Israel’s violations of Palestinian human rights to confront corporate impunity and strengthen accountability.
The ELSC intervenes to end arbitrary restrictions and criminalization of peaceful advocacy and humanitarian work. It also develops legal tools and engages in strategic litigation to support civil society advocacy and campaigns.
The Center was established in January 2019 as a joint initiative of European jurists, the Palestinian civil society network PNGO and the Dutch NGO The Rights Forum, which has been hosting the ELSC in Amsterdam in the start-up phase.
Our Work
In order to provide effective legal support, the ELSC combines monitoring, defensive strategies, impact litigation, trainings and advocacy.
• Document and analyse the restrictive measures that result in “shrinking space” for civil society defending Palestinian rights across Europe;
• Produce unique country reports exposing incidents, policies, legislation and case law related to repression of the Palestine solidarity movement in Europe.
• Develop effective legal defence strategies with lawyers against disinformation, smear campaigns and discriminatory policies to protect the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly;
• Carry out paralegal advocacy to engage authorities and public institutions.
• Facilitate and promote strategic litigation against public and private actors involved in Israel’s violations of Palestinian human rights to confront corporate impunity and strengthen accountability;
• Organise legal trainings and seminars for human rights defenders.
Panel Discussion 23rd June
At the SAOT festival in Berlin, the ELSC will be taking part in a Panel Discussion on Friday, 23rd June at the Haus der Statistik..
In this panel discussion, the ELSC, together with Palestinian activists and journalists, will provide insight into the political context surrounding our struggles and critically assess growing anti-Palestinian racism in Germany. In line with this year’s festival theme of victory, we invite you to a discussion on how to successfully push back against these attacks and support/empower the artist, activist, scholar, journalist, and all those who advocate for freedom and justice.
Entry is free.
