February 8, 2026—The European Parliament recently published a paper on transnational repression—a method of authoritarianism that takes place when a government reaches beyond its national borders to intimidate, harass, or silence people living in another country.
The topic relates to foreign interference, disinformation, and migration. It is a topic discussed by Human Rights Watch in its annual report.
The European Union report examines instances where Russia, Chechnya, Iran, and China have targeted prominent financiers, oligarchs, or activists. The authors suggest that countries whose official status is limited by sanctions or visa restrictions might be more likely to persuade or coerce diaspora members perceived as loyal.
“For example, members of the Uyghur community abroad have reported being threatened in order to force them to report on other members of the community,” the report said.
It also examines the use of to individual criminals or groups to conduct surveillance, threaten, or assault people living in Europe, citing a case against Bulgarians in the United Kingdom.
