At the 56th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, 45 countries issued a joint statement condemning transnational repression. Law and Democracy Support Foundation met with representatives from nine of these diplomatic missions and raised concerns about the increasing transnational repression against exiled Egyptian journalists and human rights defenders, aimed at silencing them.
LDSF also met with the High Commissioner and his office concerning Egypt, delivering testimonies from Egyptian human rights defenders facing transnational repression by Egyptian authorities to silence them. In this meeting, the foundation highlighted violations by Egyptian authorities beyond their national borders. They called on the High Commissioner and the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression to issue a statement urging Egyptian authorities to halt all transnational repression practices against exiled human rights defenders and to adhere to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Egypt has signed.
LDSF defines transnational repression as when states extend their reach beyond their borders to silence or coerce dissidents, journalists, and human rights defenders. Transnational repression takes many forms, including kidnapping, assassination, physical assaults, surveillance, harassment, forced returns, pressure on relatives within the country, misuse of international law enforcement bodies such as Interpol and consular services, digital attacks, obstructing mobility, and coercion by proxy.
Karim Abdelrady, the Executive Director of LDSF, stated: “Governments and the United Nations must recognize transnational repression as a threat to human rights,” emphasizing that transnational repression negatively impacts the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
LDSF also urged the United Nations to seriously consider appointing a Special Rapporteur on Transnational Repression to report on government efforts to combat this repression and to receive complaints from individuals and groups affected by these practices.
