The Use of Transnational Repression in the Name of Security: Implications and Concerns

Transnational repression is no longer a hidden threat but a growing global challenge where authoritarian regimes reach beyond borders to silence critics through intimidation, violence, and digital espionage. This policy brief uncovers how these tactics undermine national security, erode the rule of law, and deepen divisions within host countries, especially those with vibrant diaspora communities. Often disguised as counter-terrorism, transnational repression exploits legal gaps and political polarisation, complicating efforts to counter it. In today’s complex geopolitical climate, urgent, coordinated action is needed. This brief offers targeted policy recommendations to strengthen national and international capacities to address this escalating threat.

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