Tackling Transnational Repression

Tackling Transnational Repression in the UK Working Group

Transnational repression (TNR) is on the rise globally, fuelled by rapidly evolving technology, global democratic- backsliding and the rise of authoritarianism and years of neglect by previous governments. It is a major policy blind spot, resulting in significant constraints on the exercise of fundamental rights in the UK.

Repressive actors, including powerful and hostile states, have a growing number of tools to surveil, threaten, harass and attack individuals in the UK, violating their fundamental rights guaranteed under international and domestic laws such as the Human Rights Act 1998. Political dissidents, exiled journalists and human rights defenders have traditionally been the main targets of TNR, but today a broader array of groups and individuals also find themselves subject to transnational human rights violations here in the UK.

The UK’s responses to TNR to date have been sparse, incoherent and largely inaccessible to targeted communities and individuals. Law enforcement is an important part of the solution, but the cross-border nature of TNR demands a broader approach to protect the rights of those targeted.

The Richardson Institute is a founding member of the Tackling Transnational Repression (TNR) in the UK Working Group. Formed in September 2024, the Tackling TNR Working Group is an informal coalition of individuals and organisations working to address TNR in the UK context.

The working group’s steering committee includes: The Foreign Policy Centre, Richardson Institute at Lancaster University, Index on Censorship, Reporters Without Borders, Azadi Network and The Rights Practice. The wider membership also comprises organisations such as the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), China Dissent Network, Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, FairSquare, Hong Kong Democracy Council, Hong Kong Watch, and Iran International, as well as other individual experts and researchers.

The aims of the group are to:

  1. To advance research and monitor incidents and effects of TNR in the UK;
  1. Support individuals and groups affected by TNR; and
  2. Identify and shape the development of a comprehensive policy response to TNR in the UK.

Together, the Tackling TNR WG has developed a ‘Four Part Approach’ for addressing TNR in the UK, which is outlined in detail below. This approach was included in the Tackling TNR in the UK Working Group’s submission to the Human Rights (Joint Committee) inquiry into ‘Transnational repression in the UK,’ in February 2025. Our evidence was published by the Committee in June 2025, and is available.

The Tackling TNR Working Group’s ‘Four Part Approach’ for addressing TNR in the UK

Monitor

  • Provide a clear, accessible and trusted contact point for lodging TNR complaints.
  • Collect data, research and reports on the prevalence and forms of transnational infringements of UK residents’ human rights, in a consistent manner that is regularly made public (e.g. through annual reports).
  • Play an active role within the international community (including through the Council of Europe, Interpol, the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, OSCE and UN) to ensure information and data is shared to help combat TNR at a global level, while also protecting against international mechanisms being abused to further TNR.

Respond

  • Inform relevant UK government agencies (across all four nations) to ensure legal threats and actions, extradition, deportation and freezing of assets are not used to violate human rights.
  • Raise TNR cases, both individually and in aggregate, through diplomatic channels and in public statements.
  • Provide rapid response protection mechanisms for individuals facing serious threats, and ensure coordination between all relevant agencies to warn targeted individuals.

Support

  • Provide a clear, accessible and trusted point of contact for individuals experiencing TNR to access advice and support.
  • Support individuals, communities and family members to access legal assistance, humanitarian visas and temporary traveling documents, as well as other potential avenues of redress.
  • Provide appropriate physical or digital protections for victims or targets of TNR.
  • Develop national guidance and provide training for local and national law enforcement and first responders about transnational repression, including tactics that might not be criminal offences but warrant attention.

Prevent

  • Develop evidence-based proposals for necessary legislative and regulatory changes.
  • Develop legal and diplomatic mechanisms to penalise perpetrators of TNR.
  • Investigate and hold to account UK institutions, systems or professional industries complicit in TNR.

If you are interested to find out more about the working group and/or to enquire about joining, please email Dr Lucia Ardovini (l.ardovini3@lancaster.ac.uk) and Dr Andrew Chubb (a.chubb@lancaster.ac.uk)