European Parliament and OHCHR Join Forces in Policy Dialogue to Counter Transnational Repression

Brussels, 13 January 2026 – The European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), together with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and civil society partners, co-organised a two-day policy dialogue and expert workshop on 4–5 December 2025 to address the growing threat of transnational repression (TNR).

The event built on the European Parliament’s resolution adopted on 13 November 2025, which recognises TNR as a systemic challenge to human rights, the rule of law, democracy, and sovereignty, with a small number of states—including China—identified as major perpetrators responsible for a significant share of cases.

The policy dialogue on 4 December at the European Parliament focused on the need for clearer definitions of TNR, enhanced protection for targeted human rights defenders, better EU-wide coordination, improved monitoring, and expanded use of targeted sanctions.

Participants acknowledged some progress but stressed persistent issues like inconsistent national policies, limited internal EU responses, and inadequate coordination, urging a unified “whole-of-EU” approach.

The expert workshop on 5 December at OHCHR examined how current frameworks fall short in tackling sophisticated TNR methods in digital, commercial, and financial spheres. Discussions highlighted low awareness, poor data collection, and legal gaps that allow impunity, including for non-state actors used as proxies.

Experts called for stronger coordination, better information-sharing systems, targeted capacity-building, and more robust legislative and judicial tools.

Source: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/joining-forces-tackle-transnational-repression-mapping-trends-and-improving-responses_en