Call for Evidence

Transnational repression includes cross-border acts of intimidation, violence, harassment against people by one state (State A) in another (State B). There is no universally accepted definition of transnational repression and there is no published definition in the UK. Freedom House defines transnational repression as a set of physical and digital tactics used by governments to smother dissent among political exiles or diaspora communities in other countries. Transnational repression is often used against human rights defenders, journalists or political opponents deemed to be a security threat. The issue of transnational repression is of growing concern with a number of states reported to have employed such tactics in the UK.

The Committee’s inquiry will explore how transnational repression affects the human rights of people living in the UK. The inquiry will examine the effectiveness of the UK’s current legal and policy frameworks in relation to transnational repression, and the assistance available to the victims of such attacks.

The Joint Committee on Human Rights welcomes evidence from interested groups and individuals. The deadline for submissions is 24 February 2025. 

In particular, the Committee is interested in receiving views on the following issues

A. Definition and understanding

1.Should the Government adopt a formal definition of transnational repression? What should be the key elements of a definition?

2.How does transnational repression impact (a) those targeted and (b) their wider communities?

3.Which states are currently understood to be the biggest perpetrators of transnational repression in the UK? What are the main methods employed by such actors in the UK?

B. Government response

4.What steps has the Government taken to address transnational repression in the UK?  What departments have been involved in these steps? How effective is coordination between departments?

5.Several allied countries have taken action in relation to transnational repression in recent years. What could the UK Government learn from other countries’ legislative and policy responses to transnational repression?

6.To what extent has entry into force of the National Security Act 2023, in particular the new offence of foreign interference and the Foreign Influence Registration scheme, helped to strengthen the UK’s ability to tackle transnational repression?

7.How effective is other UK domestic legislation in preventing instances of transnational repression? What gaps have been identified and how may they be addressed?

8.What international legal obligations does the UK have in relation to transnational repression? Are there further steps, including legislative, that the UK should take to give effect to those obligations?

C. Law enforcement and support for victims

9.What issues have been encountered by law enforcement and the Intelligence Community in countering transnational repression within the UK?

10.How effective are the police at recognising and dealing with instances of transnational repression? Is a consistent approach offered by different police forces across the UK? 

11.How effective is the support and security assistance offered to (a) individuals and (b) communities that are the targets of transnational repression? What guidance is provided to victims and how is it tailored depending on the state perpetrating the attack?

D. International cooperation

12.Are multi-lateral police and judicial cooperation mechanisms, such as Interpol red notices, being misused by perpetrators of transnational repression? What steps can the Government take to prevent these mechanisms being misused against people in the UK?

13. How is the UK working with other democracies to tackle transnational repression? How can it do better?

14.How is the UK’s response to transnational repression affected by its diplomatic relationships with perpetrator states and how does transnational repression factor into the UK’s diplomatic decision-making?

Please do not share identifying personal details as part of your submission to the Joint Committee on Human Rights, the Committee cannot look at individual cases. Please contact us if you have any questions about this.