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Against transnational repression: Protecting our democracy

On October 22, I delivered a speech in the European Parliament addressing a pressing issue: transnational repression. An increasing number of authoritarian regimes are using these methods to persecute dissidents abroad. A particularly striking example is Iran.

Iran exports repression and fear—not only within its own borders but also to Europe. From the moment Iranian refugees set foot on European soil, they become targets. Agents of the regime threaten them, spread lies, and are not afraid to use violence on European soil. This tactic not only affects the Iranian diaspora but also impacts us—human rights activists, Jewish communities, and even Members of the European Parliament, including myself and my team.

Protecting Civil Society

In my speech, I emphasized: transnational repression by the Iranian regime must be recognized as a serious threat to our democracy. Iran is not alone in this. Countries like China, Russia, Turkey, and Belarus use similar methods. While they weave a web of fear, our European security services often remain fragmented and reactive. We are lacking a unified European response to this problem.

Protecting People, Protecting Democracy

Our mission is clear: we must protect those who are attacked here, regardless of their citizenship. We need to share information about transnational repression and build a united front against these threats at the European level.

In the coming months, strengthening cooperation in Europe will be crucial. Protecting those who stand up for democracy and human rights is central to this effort. We can only counter this threat together—by protecting civil society and safeguarding our democracy.

Only through united efforts can we fend off the threats of transnational repression.

Here is my speech:

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