Transnational repression

Transnational repression is a type of political repression conducted by a state outside its borders. It often involves targeting political dissidents or critical members of diaspora communities abroad and can take the forms of assassinations and/or enforced disappearances of citizens, among others.[1][2][3] Freedom House has documented its rise worldwide in recent years, prompting response from agencies such as the FBI.[4][5]

International relations scholar Laurie Brand asserts that autocracies face specific challenges and opportunities in the international sphere that affect authoritarian practices. Specifically, the rise of transnationalism and practices that transcend national borders have led autocracies to develop strategies aiming to manage their citizens' migration.[6] According to political scientist Gerasimos Tsourapas, global autocracies engage in complex strategies of transnational repression, legitimation, and co-optation as well as cooperation with non-state actors.[7] Countries with more robust democracies are much less likely to pursue transnational repression though some receive criticism as not doing enough to protect those living in their countries.[8] Cooperation between countries was more common when the two countries had close economic ties.[8]

The amount of transnational repression worldwide seems to be increasing as of 2024, due in part to some authoritarian governments responding to how globalization and the internet that allow for more communication across countries.[9] While a relatively new term, the phenomenon dates back decades.[10] [10] As of 2023, China has been the most active country engaged in transnational repression by a significant margin, accounting for a quarter of all cases documented by Freedom House.[10]

  1. ^ Tsourapas, Gerasimos (2019). "A Tightening Grip Abroad: Authoritarian Regimes Target Their Emigrant and Diaspora Communities". Migration Policy Institute. Archived from the original on 2019-11-10.
  2. ^ Baser, Bahar; Ozturk, Ahmet Erdi (2020-07-02). "Positive and Negative Diaspora Governance in Context: From Public Diplomacy to Transnational Authoritarianism". Middle East Critique. 29 (3): 319–334. doi:10.1080/19436149.2020.1770449. ISSN 1943-6149. S2CID 219747605. Archived from the original on 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  3. ^ "Autocracies are exporting autocracy to their diasporas". The Economist. 29 February 2024. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  4. ^ "Out of Sight, Not Out of Reach". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 2021-02-24. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  5. ^ "Transnational Repression". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  6. ^ Brand, Laurie A. (2006-02-27). Citizens Abroad: Emigration and the State in the Middle East and North Africa (1 ed.). Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511491498. ISBN 978-0-521-85805-2. OCLC 967481251.
  7. ^ Tsourapas, Gerasimos (2021). "Global Autocracies: Strategies of Transnational Repression, Legitimation, and Co-Optation in World Politics". International Studies Review. 23 (3): 616–644. doi:10.1093/isr/viaa061.
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Taub, Amanda (May 17, 2024). "Why a Tactic Used by Czars Is Back With a Vengeance". New York Times.
  10. ^ a b c Serhan, Yasmeen (2023-10-02). "The Long Arm of Transnational Repression". TIME. Retrieved 2024-11-22.