Foreign states are becoming increasingly bold in their attempts to silence dissidents within the UK, and the government must take stronger action, parliamentarians have warned. In a report, the Joint Committee on Human Rights stated that transnational repression has intensified in recent years, with foreign states employing online harassment, lawsuits, and physical violence to intimidate individuals in the UK.
According to the report, MI5 investigations into threats from other states have surged by 48% since 2022. Committee chairman Lord David Alton cautioned that this rise is “going unchecked.” He remarked, “This risks undermining the UK’s ability to protect the human rights of its citizens and those who have sought safety within its borders. We have seen prominent cases of Hong Kongers with bounties placed on their heads, Iran intimidating journalists – but evidence submitted to the inquiry suggests this may be the tip of the iceberg.”
Key Perpetrators of Transnational Repression and Interpol’s Role
Last month, Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee warned that Iran has attempted to kidnap or murder at least 15 UK-based individuals since 2022, while Russia has also targeted dissidents, including the 2018 attempt to assassinate Sergei and Yulia Skripal with Novichok.
While the cross-party human rights committee identified China, Russia, and Iran as the “most flagrant” perpetrators of transnational repression in the UK, it also highlighted evidence suggesting that a string of other countries, including India, Rwanda, Egypt, and Bahrain, have sought to target individuals in Britain. MPs and peers further reported receiving “substantial” evidence of intimidation by the Eritrean government, which includes surveillance of anti-government activists and infiltration of community groups and churches to isolate opponents of the regime.
The committee also criticized Interpol, asserting that the organization has refused to acknowledge or address the misuse of “red notices”—international requests for arrest—to harass dissidents. Nearly half of the 6,550 public red notices currently in circulation have been issued at Russia’s request.
Recommendations for Government Action and China’s Inclusion
Lord Alton advocated for a “two-pronged approach” from the government. He emphasized, “More needs to be done to give support and protection to the individuals and communities most at risk of transnational repression. We also want to see transnational repression prioritized in diplomatic relations and leadership at an international level to tackle the misuse and exploitation of systems of justice to silence and intimidate.”
In addition to pressing Interpol for action on the abuse of red notices, the committee urged the government to provide more training on transnational repression for UK police officers and greater protection from vexatious lawsuits known as SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation).
The committee also called for China to be placed in the highest tier of the foreign influence registration scheme that came into effect last month, arguing that its omission risks “undermining the credibility and coherence” of the scheme given the extent of Chinese transnational repression.
An Interpol spokesperson responded by stating: “Every year, thousands of the world’s most serious criminals are arrested thanks to Interpol’s systems. Children are saved from sexual exploitation, and terrorists, cyber criminals and traffickers are brought to justice.” They added, “Interpol knows red notices are powerful tools for law enforcement co-operation, which is why we have robust processes for ensuring that all Interpol notices and diffusions comply with our rules.” The spokesperson concluded, “Our constitution forbids Interpol from undertaking activities of a political, military, religious or racial character, and all our databases and activities must also comply with the universal declaration for human rights.”
