CHILL Lab
The Project Chilling effect, criminalisation and fundamental rights
CHILL Lab is a research project dedicated to the study of chilling effects produced by law, criminalisation, public authority and institutional pressure on the exercise of fundamental rights.
The project investigates how legal rules, criminal proceedings, sanctions, administrative measures and public policies may discourage individuals, groups, journalists, activists, researchers, lawyers, NGOs and other civil society actors from exercising rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, access to justice and democratic participation.
CHILL Lab combines comparative legal research, case mapping and methodological tools to assess both restrictive pressures and protective responses. Particular attention is given to environmental protest, migration, digital surveillance, artificial intelligence, strategic litigation, media freedom and the use of criminal law in contexts of political, social or institutional pressure.
CHILL Atlas
A comparative database of cases, legal measures, judgments and institutional practices that may produce, reinforce or reduce chilling effects on fundamental rights.
Open the AtlasCHILL Barometer
An analytical tool designed to translate qualitative legal findings into comparable indicators of chilling pressure, protective impact, rights affected and democratic risk.
View indicatorsCHILL Watch
A public reporting space where users, researchers and organisations can signal potential chilling-effect cases, provide sources and contribute to future case analysis.
Report a caseThis website is currently under development. Further research materials, case studies, methodological resources and opportunities for collaboration will be made available soon.