We, the undersigned civil society organisations, call upon the Member States of the Council of Europe to take urgent and collective action to address the growing phenomenon of transnational repression (TNR) through the adoption of a Council of Europe Convention dedicated to preventing and combating this serious and evolving threat to human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.<\/p>\n
TNR refers to efforts by states to silence dissent beyond their borders by targeting members of their diaspora and exile communities. TNR activities include assassinations and violence, abductions, forced renditions, abuse of extradition, misuse of mutual legal assistance frameworks and Interpol mechanisms, digital surveillance and harassment, and threats or retaliation against family members.<\/p>\n
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has recognised that such practices not only violate non- derogable fundamental rights but also undermine democracy and the security of host states.<\/p>\n
According to Freedom House, over 1,000 documented TNR cases have occurred since 2014, affecting individuals across 100 countries and involving at least 44 perpetrator states. Europe has emerged as a critical venue for TNR, with a growing number of targeted journalists, human rights defenders, political opponents and whistleblowers seeking safety and protection on European soil.<\/p>\n
Despite the scope of the problem, there is currently no binding European or international legal instrument specifically addressing TNR. Existing human rights instruments, including the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), while applicable in principle, do not offer comprehensive safeguards tailored to the realities of TNR.<\/p>\n
The Council of Europe is uniquely positioned to lead a coordinated European response. As the continent\u2019s foremost human rights body, it has a long tradition of responding to emerging threats with meaningful legal instruments\u2014most notably through conventions that establish standards, guide domestic reform, and promote intergovernmental cooperation.
\nA Convention on Transnational Repression would:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Define TNR in international law, creating a shared understanding and basis for policy across member states.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Set clear obligations for host states to protect individuals under threat, ensure access to remedies, and prevent complicity in TNR.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Create institutional frameworks and set standards for supporting and protecting victims of TNR.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Regulate and prevent the misuse of international legal mechanisms (e.g., extradition, Interpol notices, mutual legal assistance) from abuse.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Promote inter-state cooperation and information sharing, including through the establishment of a dedicated monitoring and coordination body.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ensure accountability for perpetrators and reinforce the resilience of European democracies against foreign interference.
\nWhile we welcome the ongoing discussions within the Steering Committee for Human Rights on potential non-binding instruments, we firmly believe that only a legally binding Convention will provide the necessary harmonisation, enforcement, and institutional weight to counter the complex multi-national challenges of TNR.<\/p>\n
A TNR Convention would also strengthen the Council of Europe\u2019s commitment to protect the rights of individuals beyond borders, reinforcing its foundational principles and enhancing regional security. We therefore urge Council of the Europe Member States to:
\n1. Acknowledge transnational repression as a grave and systemic threat to human rights, democratic resilience, and regional stability.
\n2. Support the development and adoption of a Council of Europe Convention on Transnational Repression, establishing legally binding standards and mechanisms for prevention, protection, and accountability.
\n3. Engage civil society and affected communities in the drafting of the Convention to ensure that it is grounded in lived experiences and meets the needs of victims.
\nIn doing so, the Council of Europe will affirm its historic role as a guardian of human rights and democracy, and demonstrate its determination to confront modern authoritarian threats with the tools and solidarity they demand.<\/p>\n
Signed by:<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We, the undersigned civil society organisations, call upon the Member States of the Council of Europe to take urgent and collective action to address the growing phenomenon of transnational repression (TNR) through the adoption of a Council of Europe Convention dedicated to preventing and combating this serious and evolving threat to human rights, democracy and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4678,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,219],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4677","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-statements","category-transnational-repression"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\u2022 Akademisches Netzwerk Osteuropa, akno e.V., SCIENCE AT RISK Emergency Office
\n\u2022 ARTICLE 19 Europe
\n\u2022 Araminta
\n\u2022 Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
\n\u2022 Center for Civil Liberties
\n\u2022 Centre for International Law and Human Rights
\n\u2022 Civil Society Forum
\n\u2022 DESTA MEDIA
\n\u2022 Egyptian Human Rights Forum
\n\u2022 European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
\n\u2022 Free Press Unlimited
\n\u2022 Freedom Files
\n\u2022 Freedom House
\n\u2022 Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
\n\u2022 Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan
\n\u2022 Human Rights Centre ZMINA
\n\u2022 Human Rights Defense Center Memorial
\n\u2022 Human Rights Foundation
\n\u2022 Index on Censorship
\n\u2022 International Partnership for Human Rights
\n\u2022 Justice for Journalists Foundation
\n\u2022 Law and Democracy Support Foundation (LDSF)
\n\u2022 Lawtrend
\n\u2022 LIBERECO \u2013 Partnership for Human Rights
\n\u2022 Promo LEX
\n\u2022 Public Association “Dignity”
\n\u2022 Public Verdict
\n\u2022 Richardson Institute – Lancaster University
\n\u2022 Start Point
\n\u2022 State Capture Accountability Project
\n\u2022 The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy
\n\u2022 Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO)<\/p>\n