Let's Stop Transnational Repression
Authoritarian regimes no longer oppress people only within their own borders. They also pursue, surveil, threaten, and harass them in Europe.
Those affected include journalists, human rights defenders, academics, exiled politicians, and diaspora communities. What often appears to be isolated incidents — digital surveillance, intimidation, threats against family members, or politically motivated legal proceedings — is in reality part of a deliberate strategy by authoritarian states to silence critics even in exile.
This is not only about attacks on individuals. The aim is to intimidate entire communities and restrict democratic spaces within Europe. At the same time, authoritarian regimes deliberately exploit gaps in European institutions, laws, and procedures in order to continue their repression.
European Parliament: #StopTransnationalRepression
Transnational repression is one of the most serious, yet at the same time one of the least recognized threats to democracy, human rights, and security in the European Union. However, we currently have neither a common definition nor a coordinated strategy to effectively address this problem. That must change.
For this reason, as rapporteur, I took the lead in drafting a report on Transnational Repression that makes the problem visible and develops concrete proposals on how Europe can better protect those affected, close loopholes in our institutions and laws, and hold those responsible accountable. The European Parliament will vote on it on 16 June.
Through transnational repression, autocrats seek to create the feeling that “you are nowhere safe.” Our response must be: “You are safe, here and now.”
The Report’s Key Demands:
1. Clearly name what regimes deny: A common EU definition of Transnational Repression
Today, what authoritarian regimes are doing across Europe is treated as a series of unrelated incidents. The report changes that. Europe must establish a common definition so that the system behind these actions becomes visible and we can finally sanction and stop transnational repression effectively.
2. Document what regimes seek to hide: An EU-wide system for recording and reporting Transnational Repression
Today, no one in the EU has a complete picture of the scale and dynamics of transnational repression. Each Member State collects data according to its own criteria — or not at all. The report changes that. Europe must create a common system for recording and reporting incidents and make visible what regimes would rather keep hidden.
3. Protect those targeted by regimes: Contact points, legal assistance, and psychosocial support for victims of Transnational Repression
Today, people affected by transnational repression are often left on their own. There is no clear point of contact for assistance, no legal support with the necessary understanding of their cases, and no support available in their own language. The report changes that. Europe must establish dedicated contact points, legal assistance, and trauma-informed support so that no one is left alone with this experience.
4. Punish what regimes do: Consistent prosecution of Transnational Repression across borders and beyond individual cases
Today, most perpetrators of transnational repression act with impunity. High-profile cases make headlines. The many everyday cases, however, disappear into local files — if they are recorded at all. The report changes that. Europe must commit to consistent prosecution across borders and beyond individual cases, addressing high-profile incidents and everyday acts of intimidation alike.
5. Close the loopholes that regimes exploit: No loopholes for Transnational Repression in our laws and institutions
Today, authoritarian regimes exploit weaknesses in our own systems to oppress people who fled precisely this kind of repression. They monitor them using spyware. They seek their extradition through Interpol notices. They have their bank accounts frozen at European banks. They interfere with asylum procedures. The report changes that. Europe must close these loopholes so that our laws and rules can no longer be used against the very people they are meant to protect.
Outlook:
The report sets out the European Parliament’s demands for how transnational repression should be addressed more effectively. After the vote, they have to be implemented. For that, the Commission, the Council, and the Member States must all take action. Together with stakeholders and civil society, we will continue to put pressure on them at different levels. If you would like to support our efforts, please contact us via hannah.neumann@europarl.europa.eu.
Transnational Repression explained in 7 minutes
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More Information
How We Can Finally Stop Transnational Repression in Europe: Successful Vote on My Report in the Foreign Affairs Committee
A strong signal from the European Parliament: this week, the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) adopted my report on combating transnational repression — an important step towards better protecting those targeted by authoritarian regimes in Europe.
Transnational Repression: The Underestimated Threat to Europe’s Security
More and more authoritarian regimes are targeting their critics across borders to silence them – also in Europe. Yet, we are still lacking effective political counterstrategieswhich we want to change in the European Parliament.
News Study: How to Address Transnational Repression in Europe
Transnational repression is growing, also in Europe. Yet, it is not a widely known phenomenon. I recently commissioned a study on how to address transnational repression more effectively which was discussed in the Committee on Foreign Affairs this week. This week, the Foreign Affairs Committee discussed a new study on how to address transnational repression more effectively.
When Dictatorships Carry Their Repression into Europe
A DROI hearing in the European Parliament focused on how authoritarian regimes extend their repression into the EU – and why Europe must now respond more decisively.
Gemeinsam gegen Transnationale Repression in Europa
Authoritarian regimes have long been pursuing their critics across borders. At the Berlin Freedom Conference, I explained why we must better protect those affected in Europe — and what that protection should look like.