Malaysia: Over 100 organizations demand timber giant withdraw SLAPP suit against Sarawak NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 4 Oct 2021
Location: Malaysia
Companies
SamlingAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Environmental concerns group: ( Number unknown - Malaysia - Sector unknown , Gender not reported )Issues
Indigenous Peoples , Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) , Human Rights Defenders , Free, prior & informed consent , Land Rights , Impact Assessment , Clean, Healthy & Sustainable Environment , CertificationResponse
Response sought: Yes, by NGOs
Source type: Open letter
'Sign-on letter to Samling: #StopTheSlapp', September 2021
[Over 100] organisations ask that Samling withdraw its legal suit against SAVE Rivers and its board members, and provide the communities of Samling’s Gerenai and Ravenscourt concessions in Sarawak with all of the environmental and social impact assessments conducted for the certification, including the High Conservation Value assessment.
The suit claims SAVE Rivers made defamatory statements about the company in several press releases throughout 2020 and 2021. We believe this suit is strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP), and is part of a growing international trend of silencing human rights and environmental defenders...
[The organisations] urge Samling to drop the SLAPP suit against SAVE Rivers and its directors, to release all relevant project documentation, and to engage in meaningful consultations with local communities about their lands.
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