A new report commissioned by the European Parliament is calling for the European Union to adopt a far more assertive stance against transnational repression, a form of cross-border authoritarian coercion that has increasingly targeted residents and activists within Europe. The study, which cites the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ (ICIJ) “China Targets” investigation, lays out a series of policy recommendations aimed at closing gaps in protection and accountability across the bloc.

The report, authored by experts including Nate Schenkkan and Alexander Dukalskis, warns that transnational repression is an emerging threat that blends human rights violations, foreign interference, and attacks on democratic participation. “Transnational repression bundles a lot of concerns together around human rights, security, and foreign interference,” Dukalskis said in an email. “It infringes on the rights of victims, but it also degrades democratic participation and infringes on sovereignty. Recognizing those overlaps may help facilitate a cohesive response.”

Schenkkan, the lead author, emphasized the critical role of data collection. “There is a need, broadly speaking, that there be more and better data collection on transnational repression, whether it is done at the multilateral or state level,” he told ICIJ. “The knowledge drives action, so collecting the information and disseminating it is part of the process and policy framework of forcing those other stakeholders to address the issues.”

The report identifies several key measures that the EU and its member states should implement immediately. Among them is the creation of a unified EU definition of transnational repression, alongside an internal knowledge hub to centralize information on incidents across Europe. Strengthened communication channels between national law enforcement agencies are also recommended, in addition to the introduction of targeted visa bans, diplomat expulsions, and a faster mobilization of sanctions for perpetrators.

“This is not an abstract issue,” added Emile Dirks, a co-author and senior research associate at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab. “For many people, this is a human rights problem that they face day in and day out. Failure to address this problem will have real human consequences for individuals and their wider communities.”

The report cites data from Freedom House indicating that, between 2014 and 2024, France, Germany, and Poland recorded the highest frequency of harassment incidents linked to transnational repression. The report also highlights a trend in which the EU has become a stage for repression carried out by proxy, including through criminal organizations hired to surveil, intimidate, or harass activists.

China, Russia, and Iran are flagged as the primary state actors behind these campaigns. According to the report, the findings align with the ICIJ “China Targets” investigation, which exposed Beijing’s systematic efforts to silence critics abroad. The investigation found that Chinese authorities had misused international institutions, including the United Nations and Interpol, to pursue dissidents overseas, often without any intervention from democratic governments. Victims interviewed reported threats to family members, doxxing, and even freezing of bank accounts.

China has consistently denied such allegations. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC, called the claims “groundless” and “fabricated by a handful of countries and organizations to slander China.”

Despite these denials, European lawmakers have begun taking tentative steps. In November, the European Parliament passed a resolution to create a definition of transnational repression, echoing one of the key recommendations of the new report. The study emphasizes, however, that awareness alone is insufficient. “There’s clearly awareness of transnational repression as an idea,” Schenkkan said. “There is an unclear mandate, though, to work on it. It’s not clear whose responsibility it is or what they’re supposed to do, and without that, people are reluctant to take it up and kind of push forward.”

The report also notes that European responses to China’s use of transnational repression have been weaker than actions taken against Russia and Iran. Dirks explained that this disparity may be partly due to economic considerations: “Many democratic states, including within the European Union, are also looking to maintain workable relations with China in a range of areas, trade being one of them. The dynamics are not necessarily there when it comes to, say, Iran or even Russia.”

Incidents cited in the study illustrate the human cost of this form of repression. During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to France in May 2024, several Chinese and Uyghur activists reported that their family members in China were intimidated by police in an effort to suppress public demonstrations in Paris. Similar reports from other European nations have revealed that activists and dissidents are often left without legal recourse or sufficient protection, particularly when they hold tenuous immigration status or fear retaliation against relatives back home.

The report recommends not only stronger preventative measures but also increased resources and support systems for victims. These include legal aid, mental health support, and secure channels for reporting incidents. Strengthening data protection clauses in EU legislation is also highlighted, with a particular focus on identifying transnational repression as a “systemic risk” for regulated platforms under the Digital Services Act.

Experts stress that recognizing transnational repression as a systemic risk is critical for ensuring accountability. “The knowledge drives action,” Schenkkan said. “Without clear legal frameworks and mandates, it’s difficult to mobilize a cohesive response. Victims are left vulnerable, and the democratic institutions that are supposed to protect them become compromised.”

The report’s release comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and global scrutiny of authoritarian tactics abroad. In addition to China, Russia and Iran have been active in targeting dissidents living in the EU, leveraging intimidation, surveillance, and proxy networks. The study calls for the EU to consider these threats as part of a broader foreign policy strategy, rather than treating them as isolated criminal or human rights issues.

Lawmakers and experts are hopeful that the report will spur concrete action. While the European Parliament has initiated discussions around formal definitions and policy frameworks, full implementation across member states remains uneven. Coordinated efforts, backed by comprehensive data collection and real-time intelligence sharing, are cited as essential steps for curbing the influence of transnational repression within Europe.

“Failing to act decisively doesn’t just harm the immediate victims,” Dukalskis said. “It undermines the democratic process, erodes sovereignty, and allows foreign actors to exert undue influence on European soil. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.”

As the EU grapples with this complex challenge, the report underscores that success will require political will, robust legal tools, and sustained international cooperation. Only by addressing transnational repression head-on can Europe ensure that its commitment to human rights and democratic values extends beyond its borders.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings