The Egyptian Human Rights Forum (EHRF), in cooperation with several international human rights organizations, organized a side event titled:
“Across Borders, Under Pressure: Transnational Repression and the Shrinking Space for Freedom of Expression in MENA (Egypt and Lebanon)”
during the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC60) on Friday, 26 September 2025, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
The event focused on the rise of transnational repression in Egypt and Lebanon, and how authorities target dissidents and human rights defenders living abroad. In Egypt, speakers highlighted the targeting of families of exiled activists, digital surveillance, coordinated smear campaigns, and the use of pro-government groups to harass dissidents abroad. In Lebanon, the discussion addressed restrictive legislation shrinking civic space, the use of cybercrime laws and criminal defamation to pursue activists, as well as cases of forced return such as the Egyptian poet and activist Abdulrahman Yusuf, who disappeared in the UAE in July 2024 amid indications of Lebanese involvement.
The session was moderated by Samar Elhussieny, Executive Director of the Egyptian Human Rights Forum. It also featured contributions from Moataz El Fegiery, Chair of EHRF and Vice-President of EuroMed Rights, who spoke about the escalation of transnational repression in Egypt, stressing that the authorities use administrative restrictions and diplomatic interventions to pressure dissidents abroad.
Tanya Boulakovski, Human Rights Officer at MENA Rights Group, highlighted the unlawful role of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers in reinforcing cross-border repression, urging member states to uphold the principles of non-refoulement and non-discrimination.
They were joined by James Lynch, Co-Director of FairSquare, who revealed how Gulf states engage in transnational repression with full impunity due to their economic leverage, offering examples of political interference in exchange for major investment deals.
From Lebanon, Hasna Abdul Reda, Head of the Legal Department at the Lebanese Center for Human Rights, warned about the rapid shrinking of freedom of expression and the continued forced removal of dissidents. The panel also included contributions from Ahmed Salem, Executive Director of the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights; Rodney Dixon, legal counsel for Abdulrahman Yusuf; and Mina Thabet from PEN International, who presented concrete recommendations to strengthen protection and accountability mechanisms.
This event comes at a critical moment as systematic violations against Egyptian human rights defenders abroad continue to escalate. It underscores the urgent need for international cooperation to establish effective protection mechanisms and ensure accountability for authorities responsible for targeting dissidents.
On the sidelines of UNHRC60, Samar Elhussieny met with Nada Al-Nashif, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, to discuss the urgent need for stronger international protection mechanisms for Egyptian human rights defenders inside and outside the country, in light of escalating repression tactics, including digital surveillance, proxy punishment, and the targeting of families.
To watch the session highlights and interventions:
– Hasna Abdul Reda's intervention
– Moataz El Fegiery’s intervention
– Tanya Boulakovski’s intervention
– James Lynch’s intervention
