Research on transnational repression

Videos

• Digital Transnational Repression Explained, by Citizen Lab
• Digital Transnational Repression Explained: Activists, by Citizen Lab
• Gender-based Digital Transnational Repression Explained, by Citizen Lab
• Responding to Transnational Repression - recorded panel discussion from Dec 2021
• Transnational Repression: The Long Arm of Authoritarianism (parts 1 and 2) - recorded panel discussion from Sept/Oct 2022.
• Defending Democracy in Exile: Policy Responses to Transnational Repression by Freedom House

Reports

Research Database on Transnational Repression (TNR)

https://tnr-research.uwazi.io/en/

This collection of research reports can help human rights defenders better understand:

• Which TNR threats are likely or possible based on the existing evidence, to determine appropriate mitigation techniques
• Which TNR threats are unlikely, in order to alleviate fear
• What exiled HRDs can expect from a host country in terms of protection measures
• Existing campaigns to strengthen protection for exiled HRDs

This database was developed and curated by the Center for Victims of Torture. To contribute to this research, email [email protected]

Reports in this database include:

• Defending Democracy in Exile: Policy Responses to Transnational Repression, report by Freedom House
• Silencing Across Borders: Transnational Repression and Digital Threats Against Exiled Activists, report by Marcus Michaelsen
• Psychological and Emotional War: Digital Transnational Repression in Canada, report by Citizen Lab
• Going after the family: Transnational repression and the proxy punishment of Middle Eastern diasporas, article co-authored with Dana M. Moss & Gillian Kennedy.

Books

The Arab Spring Abroad: Diaspora Activism against Authoritarian Regimes, book by Dana Moss. You can download this book for free here: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/arab-spring-abroad/D7EC15ED46D37A2DB8CDDB83F06CC591#overview

TNR threat categories

• Unlawful deportation, extradition, rendition, interpol abuse, legal cases
  • Trial in absentia
  • Opponent may initiate a criminal case in order to carry out deportation or extradition
  • Opponent may use Interpol notice in order to carry out deportation or extradition
• Account and device hacking
  • Opponents hack social media or email accounts
• Coercion by proxy / Threats against in-country relatives
  • Opponent may harass, threaten, prosecute, and imprison family or colleagues
• Monitoring and surveillance
  • Tracking and identifying HRDs
  • Opponent may monitor family members’ conversations so they can access communications
  • Infiltration of network through informants
  • Opponent may surveil/monitor communication to ascertain location and activities
• Slander, harassment
  • Smear campaigns, hate speech and harassment in social media
  • Opponent may carry out a defamation and smear campaign
  • Reputation marring, through informant activists