In a report adopted on Tuesday by 434 votes in favour,128 against, and with 104 abstentions, Parliament examines the serious and growing threat of transnational repression (TNR), namely deliberate acts or threats by states and authoritarian regimes, state-affiliated entities or their proxies to defend their interests across borders by threatening, silencing, coercing or harming individuals or groups living abroad, and their support networks and family members. Considering these acts a threat to democracy and the protection of human rights, and a form of foreign interference, they call on the European Commission and EU member states to commit to a zero-tolerance approach and pursue decisive and coordinated action to clamp down on all forms of TNR occurring on EU territory.
The report says the lack of a clear definition of TNR contributes to under-reporting, limits effective policy responses and hinders the use of accountability tools, including sanctions mechanisms. MEPs therefore want the European Commission, the Council and EU member states to adopt a common definition and integrate it systematically across EU policies and instruments in order to prevent EU legal and administrative frameworks from being misused for repressive purposes.
Call for measures to counter TNR
MEPs further note that targets of TNR include a broad range of individuals and groups, comprising dissidents, journalists, activists, academics, diaspora members and their families, among others. MEPs propose better, safe and reliable data collection to monitor and report on TNR in the EU and globally, as well as specialised training for law enforcement and other relevant agencies and officials on identifying and responding to TNR. They also call for measures to facilitate the sharing of best practices between EU member states, including through the appointment of an EU coordinator for countering TNR. This coordinator could contribute to an overarching strategy on TNR and to action against digital TNR threats, abusive Interpol red notices and what is referred to as consular coercion (pressure emanating from embassies and consulates).
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“For many people living in exile in Europe, distance doesn’t guarantee safety. Authoritarian regimes actively seek to silence critics beyond their own borders. Transnational repression has emerged as one of the most serious and overlooked threats to democracy, human rights, and EU member states’ security. Our report is a first step in countering this,” rapporteur Hannah Neumann (The Greens/EFA, Germany) said.