EU Must Confront Transnational Repression of Human Rights Defenders, Lawmakers Say

The Chinese communist regime is identified as the worst offender, followed by Turkey, Tajikistan, and Russia.

Chloe Ridel during the plenary session of the European Parliament an institution of the European Union in Brussels, in Belgium, on May 21, 2025. Martin Bertrand/ Hans Lucas via AFP via Getty Images

Members of the European Parliament on Nov. 13 backed a call for the EU to tackle the growing number of transnational repression cases within its borders.

The report, backed by 512 members of Parliament (MEPs) and voted against by 76, is not binding but aims to put pressure on the EU executive branch and member states to confront authoritarian regimes that attempt to extend their domestic political control overseas.