On countering transnational repression – towards an EU strategy to protect Europe’s sovereignty and democratic values
A-10-2026-0142
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Hannah Neumann
- Voted on · Adopted 434–128–104 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2025/2179
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This resolution on countering transnational repression (TNR) defines it, condemns it, and calls for a common EU definition, better data collection, victim support, and measures against digital, financial, and legal abuse.¶¶¶ It urges stronger EU coordination, including national contact points, an annual report, and updated mandates for Europol and Eurojust, and calls for protection and support for victims.¶¶¶ It addresses specific forms of TNR, such as physical, digital, and proxy-based repression, and calls for measures against abuse of Interpol, financial systems, and consular services.¶¶¶ It calls for deterrence and accountability, including sanctions listings, legal liability, and integration of TNR into EU external action and the European Democracy Shield.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes a motion for a resolution that condemns TNR, defines it, and calls for a comprehensive EU strategy with specific measures across policy areas.¶¶¶
Key points
- Defines TNR as deliberate cross-border acts by states or proxies to intimidate, threaten, or harm individuals or groups abroad, and calls for a common EU definition.¶¶
- Calls for an EU data collection and monitoring mechanism on TNR, with multilingual, trauma-informed reporting channels and strong data protection.¶¶
- Urges member states to record TNR-related acts consistently, provide specialised training for authorities, and designate national contact points.¶¶¶
- Calls for an annual public report on TNR affecting the EU and for updating Europol and Eurojust mandates to counter TNR.¶¶
- Demands victim-centred protection, including psychosocial support, legal assistance, and measures to enable victims to continue their professional and civic activities.¶¶¶
- Calls for action against digital TNR, including platform accountability, AI safeguards, and implementation of PEGA recommendations on spyware.¶¶¶
- Recognises coercion-by-proxy and family-based repression as serious forms of TNR and calls for their systematic address in EU frameworks.¶¶
- Calls for measures to prevent abuse of international cooperation mechanisms, including enhanced scrutiny of extradition requests and an EU appeal mechanism for abusive Interpol Red Notices.¶¶
- Urges financial regulators to prevent misuse of AML/CFT frameworks, ensure access to basic banking for at-risk individuals, and establish redress mechanisms.¶¶¶
- Calls for guidelines on consular coercion and for asylum and migration authorities to address the circumstances of TNR victims.¶¶
- Calls for legal liability for facilitators of TNR, consideration of TNR as a serious crime under Article 83 TFEU, and systematic sanctions listings.¶¶¶
- Calls for integrating TNR into EU external action, the European Democracy Shield, and international cooperation, including a Council of Europe convention.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- Human rights defenders, journalists, activists, academics, diaspora members, and their families residing in the EU who are targeted by TNR.¶¶
- Member states' law enforcement, judicial, financial, and migration authorities, which are called on to identify and respond to TNR.¶¶
- Digital platforms, technology companies, and financial institutions, which are urged to prevent their services from being used for TNR.¶¶¶
- Perpetrator states and their proxies, which are condemned and targeted for sanctions and legal measures.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
Legal basis: Article 2 TEU, Articles 3 and 21 TEU, Articles 83 and 215 TFEU¶¶¶