We are not descended from fearful people - not from people who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes that were for the moment unpopular. - after Edward R. Murrow

Emiel Jurjens

Emiel is a highly experienced media lawyer who has represented (inter)national media, journalists and human rights defenders in cases about the freedom of speech. Those cases always revolve around current issues such as the right to forgotten, fake news, ‘SLAPPs’ or the #metoo debate. He has special expertise in the field of whistleblowers and (international) investigative journalism. He also advises and litigates on matters relating to the right to protest, copyright and media regulation (in particular the Audiovisual Media Services Directive).

Furthermore, the practice of Emiel consists of assisting clients with (strategic) litigations   about issues of public interest. For instance, he is currently involved in a climate litigation case against the State of the Netherlands, and several years ago he handled a case against the European Union about the financing of a project in Eritrea for which forced labor was used. He also handled many cases about human rights in the context of tech and the internet. Emiel is experienced in litigation in several fora: apart from the courts of the Netherlands also the European Court of Human Rights and the various UN mechanisms.

Emiel studied in Utrecht at the University College Utrecht and graduated cum laude in public international law. During his studies he worked for several years at the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights in Utrecht. He regularly gives lectures and comments on current issues in the media. He is also a passionate hip hop head, beatcreator and MC.

Jurisdictions

  • Human rights
  • International law

Lawyer since

2012

E-mail

ejurjens@prakkendoliveira.nl

Additional functions

Member of the Eurasia focus group at Lawyers for Lawyers Member of the Association for Media and Information Law (VMC) Member of the editorial board of the Case Law Supplement of Mediaforum Member of the Board at Stichting Eenzame Uitvaart (Foundation Lonely Burial)

Publications

  • E.W. Jurjens, ‘Nieuwe richtlijn over bescherming klokkenluiders in de Europese Unie: inhoud en eerste analyse’, NTER 5-6/2020.
  • E.W. Jurjens, J.P. van den Brink, International Libel and Privacy Handbook (chapter Dutch Media Law), New York: LexisNexis, 2022.
  • E.W. Jurjens, Pushing The Limits of Law: The Special Tribunal for Lebanon in Context, Utrecht: Science Shop of Law 2010.
  • E.W. Jurjens en J.P. van den Brink, ‘Bescherming van klokkenluiders onder artikel 10 EVRM. Een blik op de Straatsburgse en Nederlandse jurisprudentie en een beoordeling van voorgestelde wetgeving’, NTM 2015/1, p. 36-61.
  • E.W. Jurjens en C. Flinterman, ‘Nederland en Irak: een Adequaat Volkenrechtelijk Mandaat?’, NJB 2007, nr. 33, p. 1728.
  • E. Stevens en E.W. Jurjens, ‘EU komt met maatregelen tegen ongefundeerde anti-media rechtszaken (‘SLAPPs’)’, Media Report 2022.

In the media

  • P. Jacob, 'De passie van Emiel Jurjens: ‘Wijzer worden van hiphop’ (interview), 29 November 2023 (Advocatie.nl)
  • New York Times “Eritreans Sue E.U. Over Use of Forced Labor Back Home”
  • The Guardian “Europe accused of financing Eritrean project based on 'forced labour'”
  • Algemeen Dagblad “’Vergeten’ Bonaire dreigt te overstromen door opwarming, rechtszaak tegen staat in de maak”
  • NRC “Vrijgesproken? Dan moet Google dat wel laten zien”
  • NPO Radio 1 Dit is de Dag “Moet Ongehoord Nederland uit het omroepbestel worden geschrapt?”
  • NRC “Verzet tegen feest in Rijswijk vanwege 'de lange arm van het dictatoriaal bewind in Eritrea'”
  • NOS “’Uitspraak zaak Roddelpraat leidt niet tot meer zaken tegen juicekanalen’”
  • VPRO Bureau Buitenland “EU stopt met omstreden wegenbouwproject Eritrea”