MPs and Peers Warn of Growing Foreign Repression in the UK

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Foreign countries are increasingly bold in their efforts to silence critics in the UK, prompting concerns among lawmakers that stronger measures are needed.

A report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights states that transnational repression has grown in recent years, with foreign governments employing online harassment, lawsuits, and physical intimidation to target individuals within the UK.

The number of MI5 investigations into threats from other nations has surged by 48% since 2022, according to the report. Committee chair Lord David Alton warned that this trend is “going unchecked,” risking the UK’s ability to safeguard the human rights of its citizens and those seeking refuge in the country.

He cited high-profile cases such as Hong Kongers with bounties on their heads and Iran intimidating journalists, suggesting these incidents may only be a surface glimpse of a broader problem.

Last month, the Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee revealed that Iran had tried to kidnap or kill at least 15 people living in the UK since 2022. Russia has also targeted dissidents, including an attempt to poison Sergei and Yulia Skripal with Novichok in 2018.

While China, Russia, and Iran are identified as the most blatant offenders of transnational repression on UK soil, the report highlights evidence pointing to other nations—including India, Rwanda, Egypt, and Bahrain—also seeking to intimidate individuals in Britain.

Members of Parliament and the House of Lords also presented substantial evidence of harassment by the Eritrean government, involving surveillance of anti-government activists and infiltration of community organizations and churches to isolate regime opponents.

The committee criticized Interpol for its reluctance to acknowledge misuse of “red notices”—international arrest requests—used to harass dissidents. Nearly half of the current 6,550 public red notices originate at Russia’s request.

Lord Alton emphasized the need for a dual approach: providing targeted support and protection to vulnerable communities and individuals, and elevating transnational repression as a diplomatic priority on the global stage to combat misuse of justice systems for political gain.

Recommendations include urging Interpol to address abuse of red notices, enhancing police training on transnational repression, and increasing protections against vexatious lawsuits like SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation).

The report also advocates for classifying China in the highest tier of the new foreign influence registration scheme, introduced last month, due to the extensive scope of Chinese-backed repression efforts—omission from this tier could undermine the scheme’s credibility.

An Interpol spokesperson highlighted its role in arresting serious criminals annually and safeguarding victims, affirming that all notices and operations comply with human rights standards and are non-political.