Applicants can either be working in private practice or be working for or be affiliated with NGOs promoting the right to freedom of expression in West Africa through litigation. Exceptionally strong applications from lawyers who have not yet undertaken freedom of expression work, but have experience litigating other human rights cases and have a strong interest in undertaking freedom of expression work will be considered as well. A maximum of 12 participants will be selected;
Applicants must be proficient in English;
They must have a demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of the right to online freedom of expression, digital rights, internet freedom and/or related issues;
The lawyers must have a demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of international and regional human rights law;
With their application, applicants are requested to submit a case study of a case that they are either currently litigating or that they intend to litigate, which may be discussed during the litigation surgery. As set out above, it will suffice for participants who do not have a case that is pending to have identified a relevant law, practice or policy relating to online freedom of expression that they would like to challenge in court. However, such participants must demonstrate their ability and willingness to pursue the case after the surgery;
The cases submitted must involve a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression online;
The following (non-exhaustive) list of themes are a guide for the type of cases that could be submitted with the application:
Cybercrime laws;
Intermediary liability;
Internet shutdowns;
Restriction of online media;
Online privacy;
National security; and
Anonymity online.
MDLI is committed to advancing equality and diversity and will therefore consider gender, age and country of origin in its selection of participants.
Eligible Regions: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and the Republic of Cameroon
Application Process
Please complete the attached application form in the website and submit it before the deadline of midnight on Sunday 28 April 2019.
Shortlisted applicants will be notified soon after the closing date and should be available for a Skype or telephone interview on 8, 9 or 10 May 2019.
Application Deadline: April 28, 2019 (18 Days Remaining)
