New EU Report: Urgent Action Needed Against Transnational Repression
- European nations must coordinate their efforts to combat the growing threat of transnational repression, a form of cross-border coercion used by authoritarian governments.
- The study, available here,builds on reporting from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists' China Targets inquiry.
- "More and better data collection on transnational repression is needed, at both the multilateral and state levels," saeid nate Schenkkan, the report's lead author.
European nations must coordinate their efforts to combat the growing threat of transnational repression, a form of cross-border coercion used by authoritarian governments. A new study commissioned by the European Parliament outlines policy recommendations for the European Union and its member states to better protect citizens and hold perpetrators accountable.
The study, available here,builds on reporting from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ China Targets inquiry. Key recommendations include:
- Developing a unified EU definition of transnational repression.
- Establishing a central data collection and knowledge hub within the EU.
- Improving communication between law enforcement agencies across member states.
“More and better data collection on transnational repression is needed, at both the multilateral and state levels,” saeid nate Schenkkan, the report’s lead author. “Knowledge drives action. Collecting and disseminating information is crucial for building a policy framework that forces stakeholders to address these issues.”
The report also suggests strengthening data protection within EU laws, classifying transnational repression as a ”systemic risk” under the Digital Services Act, and taking stronger punitive measures. These include visa bans, the expulsion of diplomats, and the swift implementation of sanctions.
according to Alexander Dukalskis, a co-author and assistant professor at the university of Dublin, ”Transnational repression impacts human rights, security, and foreign interference.It infringes on the rights of victims, degrades democratic participation, and violates sovereignty. Recognizing these connections can help create a unified response.”
Data from Freedom House shows that France,Germany,and Poland have frequently been targeted by transnational repression between 2014 and 2024.The EU has seen an increase in these incidents in recent years.