Addressing Transnational Repression of Human Rights Defenders

by name voted on 13.11.2025

Summary

This report addresses the growing threat of transnational repression, where authoritarian regimes target human rights defenders across national borders. It calls for coordinated EU action to protect these individuals through legal, digital, and diplomatic means.

10 13.11.2025

Report

lawyer

government

human rights

social policy

civil service

political party

diplomatic relations

public administration

international relations

information technology and data processing

Key points

The report defines transnational repression as attacks by states or their proxies to coerce, control, or silence dissidents and activists through physical, legal, or digital methods.
Modern repression increasingly relies on digital tools, including AI-powered technologies and spyware, to conduct surveillance and harassment.
Women human rights defenders face specific risks, including gender-based digital harassment and sexual abuse used as tools of intimidation.
Perpetrators often abuse international legal mechanisms, such as Interpol red notices and extradition requests, to target exiled individuals.