Discussion Forum: Criminalisation of Activists

Information Session: Seán will lead a discussion alongside Sea Watch and Refugee Rescue activist Brendan Woodhouse which examines European sea defence/security and migration policy and maritime.  

Seán Binder, a rescue diver and trained maritime search and rescuer, volunteered as a coordinator of civilian rescue operations, both on land and at sea, in Greece, in 2018. Despite continued cooperation with the authorities, Seán was arrested for his humanitarian work and spent 106 days in pre-trial detention. The charges made against him include money laundering, espionage and assisting illegal smuggling networks. Human Rights Watch has said “The prosecution seeks to criminalise saving lives”.

The case remains ongoing and he faces 25 years imprisonment. With this experience, and his background in European defence and migration policy, he has continued his policy research, like the brief on Strategic Litigation published via the EU funded ReSOMA platform. He continues to advocate for policy improvements at the EU Commission and Parliament as well as member state authorities.