Egyptian Human Rights Forum (EHRF) representative participated as a speaker in a roundtable discussion organized entitled ” “Spread of Illiberal Trends within the Euro-Mediterranean Transnational Space,” by the International Relations Institute in Prague and People in Need. The event featured the screening of Wherever They Go, a 15-minute documentary by EHRF that explores transnational repression by the Egyptian regime against human rights defenders (HRDs) in exile.
During the discussion, EHRF shed light on the escalating use of security cooperation treaties and the Arab Interior Ministers Council (AIMC) as tools for transnational repression. These mechanisms have enabled authoritarian regimes like Egypt to target exiled defenders and political activists through extrajudicial means, expanding their reach beyond national borders.
Following the screening, the conversation delved into the broader pattern of authoritarian transnational repression, particularly in the context of migration, religion, and foreign policy. Participants discussed how illiberal actors exploit these areas to silence dissent and weaken democratic institutions internationally. The roundtable built on insights from the policy brief Spread of Illiberal Trends within the Euro-Mediterranean Transnational Space, which examines the strategies used by such regimes to suppress freedoms.
The event concluded with a call for stronger international collaboration. Participants stressed the need for joint advocacy and sustained engagement with policymakers to counter these growing threats. The discussion also underscored the vital role of solidarity networks in protecting exiled activists and ensuring their continued involvement in the broader struggle for democracy and human rights.
