Choose amount Information Payment Choose amount
A donor account is created automatically for recurring donations. Account setup info will be emailed to you.
You can log in to edit your recurring donation any time
€
Please fix the errors above.
CARD PAYPAL Direct Debit
CVC CodeThe 3-4 digits on the back of your credit card
You didn't choose the bank name.

By providing your payment information and confirming this payment, you authorise (A) European Legal Support Center and Stripe, our payment service provider, to send instructions to your bank to debit your account and (B) your bank to debit your account in accordance with those instructions. As part of your rights, you are entitled to a refund from your bank under the terms and conditions of your agreement with your bank. A refund must be claimed within 8 weeks starting from the date on which your account was debited. Your rights are explained in a statement that you can obtain from your bank. You agree to receive notifications for future debits up to 2 days before they occur.




In compliance for SEPA Direct Debit network regulations the following billing address fields are mandatory.




By providing your payment information and confirming this payment, you authorise (A) European Legal Support Center and Stripe, our payment service provider, to send instructions to your bank to debit your account and (B) your bank to debit your account in accordance with those instructions. As part of your rights, you are entitled to a refund from your bank under the terms and conditions of your agreement with your bank. A refund must be claimed within 8 weeks starting from the date on which your account was debited. Your rights are explained in a statement that you can obtain from your bank. You agree to receive notifications for future debits up to 2 days before they occur.

You can log in to edit your recurring donation any time


The ELSC is a non-profit organisation that is registered as a foundation in The Netherlands ('stichting'). No goods or services are exchanged for your contribution. Donations may be eligible for tax relief. For more information on donations please contact [email protected].
Support Scholars, Activists and Journalists Facing Censorship and Unlawful Surveillance in Germany
Support Scholars, Activists and Journalists Facing Censorship and Unlawful Surveillance in Germany

9.106,54 €

Raised

Donations

7.500 €

Goal

Edited 10/06/2024
10/06/2024
Case Update of Dr. Anna Younes: Solidarity outshines shortfall of Berlin civil court’s ruling

The civil case of Dr. Younes has come to an end with the recent court ruling. 


In April 2024, the Berlin State Court (Landgericht Berlin) ruled that albeit an existing breach of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Dr. Younes is still not entitled to damages. The court has missed an opportunity to protect individuals’ data rights against the distorted use of the “journalistic exemption” rule for unlawful surveillance practices as argued by RIAS/MBR.  [Read more details here]


This case shows once more that ultimately our solidarity is our best protection: Not only did solidarity expose the secret dossier, but it also covered all costs for the lawsuits so far. We must keep pushing collectively to expose the illegal surveillance practices. The administrative case launched by Younes’ case is still ongoing.


We would like to thank all of you generous donors who covered the legal costs for Dr. Anna-Esther Younes’ case.  The surplus funds raised in this crowdfunding campaign for Dr. Younes will go into the German legal aid fund that is handling other cases challenging censorship of Palestinian rights advocates such as this case.   


Covering legal costs for people who suffer from misrepresentation and surveillance has been an important part of this long case and journey, and we would not have been able to see it through without your political and financial support!

12/04/2024
Anti-Palestinian surveillance in Germany: new hearing in the case of Dr Anna Younes today

We'd like to thank you once again for your support, which was crucial in helping Dr Younes fighting back in court! After 2 preliminary victories (see here and here), a judge is now finally hearing Dr Younes’ case before the Berlin district court, after she filed a civil lawsuit against the organisations responsible for surveilling her and others.


Read more in our press release


Anna and the ELSC would like to take this opportunity to continue to amplify our message on the systemic repression and silencing of Palestinian voices and those of their allies. Given the state of the German legal system, we are not very optimistic about the outcome of the lawsuit but we do want to make a political point. That's why we need all the public support we can get.


Amplify the message on X/Twitter


DONATE

17/11/2022
The Fight Continues with Two New Lawsuits

On 2 November 2022, exactly three years after she discovered RIAS’ covert surveillance of her activities and after two legal victories, Dr Anna Younes launches two new lawsuits. She requests the Administrative Court of Berlin to find the preparation and transmission of the secret dossier on her unlawful, and she requests compensation. Read more here!

24/06/2022
Second victory for Anna Younes! But the fight is not over

Thanks to collective efforts, Dr. Anna Younes, got a new positive decision!


2 years after RIAS/MBR circulated a secret dossier on Dr. Younes, which led to her exclusion from a public event, the Berlin Data Protection Authority finally issued a decision: RIAS/MBR violated data protection law. Their preparation and transmission of the dossier was neither journalistic nor scientific, therefore they had no basis to deny Dr. Younes’ access to her data. Read more in our press release: https://bit.ly/3A3h9Bo     

 

But this is not over yet! RIAS/MBR previously acknowledged that the purpose of the dossier was to identify Dr. Younes’ positions on Israel and BDS. They secretly sent this dossier to get her disinvited. However, the DPA considered that this was lawful and that RIAS/MBR pursued a legitimate purpose in collecting and transmitting information about Dr. Younes.  

 

We will appeal this decision. Do you want to help us? 


Share the news on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and share the crowdfunding page: https://bit.ly/supportscholar 

 

Thank you for your support! 

17/05/2022
First victory in Court for Anna Younes!

Thanks to your support, Dr. Anna Younes, who faced digital surveillance and censorship, finally got justice after 2 years! On 6 May, a German court ruled in her favour. Read more in our press release: https://bit.ly/3NlfkDy  


The court ordered the German state-funded organisation that legally represents RIAS Berlin and MBR to give access to the data these organisations gathered on her. The released information shows that RIAS collects people personal data based on their positions on Israel and BDS. 


The two lawsuits, public pressure and your support really made the difference in pushing the Berlin Data Protection Authority and RIAS/MBR to finally recognise Dr. Younes’ right to access her data.  


This is a victory for all scholars, activists and journalists who are facing surveillance and stigmatisation in Germany because they express support to Palestinian rights. Anna Younes will request RIAS and MBR damages in court. It also remains to be clarified whether they have been storing further data other than those revealed in the disseminated dossier. Therefore, the case is not over, and we also aim to tackle this structural issue of profiling Palestinian rights advocates in Germany. Anna is most likely one example among other individuals that might be surveilled as well. 


What can you do now to keep supporting the case? 


  1. Share our collective victory on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin 
  2. Read and share Middle East Eye article on Dr.Younes’ case. 
  3. Follow our updates and continue to support the case by donating & signing the support letter. 

Thank you!