On Tuesday, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) announced that 11 human rights organisations have formed a coalition in Germany to oppose China’s transnational repression of Uyghur minorities. The coalition, named the “Coalition against Transnational Repression in Germany,” represents victims of repression believed to have originated from China, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Belarus, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, and Iran.
Transnational repression is reportedly a tactic used by authoritarian regimes to silence dissenters living abroad. According to the statement, exiled individuals often find no safety in Germany, as they face threats, intimidation, or even violent persecution from their home countries. The coalition’s goal is to collectively address and combat these threats and acts of intimidation within Germany.
The spokesperson for Tibet Initiative Germany, David Missal, said in the statement, “When people are persecuted in Germany, they have so far been alone with their fears. Transnational repression is not only a threat to individuals but also a challenge to democracy and the rule of law. This requires more attention and political responses in Germany. We have come together as a coalition to send a clear message: victims of transnational repression must be taken seriously and protected.”
The Transnational Repression Coalition is dedicated to increasing awareness among the public, policymakers, and authorities who engage with at-risk vulnerable groups. It provides guidance on creating political and civil society solutions and acts as a strong advocate for those affected. The coalition’s founding members include Tibet Initiative Deutschland, Mikroskop Media, JAM, the Human Rights Defenders’ Network – German Section, the Law and Democracy Support Foundation (LDSF), Freiheit für Hongkong, MangMang Magazine, Reporter ohne Grenzen (RSF), Belarusische Gemeinschaft Razam, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), and Verein der Tibeter in Deutschland. These German human rights and diaspora organisations are focused on highlighting the threat of Transnational Repression (TNR) and its impact on human rights, freedom, and security in Germany.
The rise of authoritarianism globally is driving an increasing number of critics, dissidents, human rights advocates, persecuted individuals, and journalists into exile. Germany serves as a key refuge for these groups. However, their open criticism, networking within the diaspora, and outreach to their regions of origin can make them targets for authoritarian regimes and their allies. The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) statement notes that, in Germany, too, these critical voices and members of threatened communities face repression from their countries of origin.
The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) explains that Transnational Repression (TNR) is a tactic used by foreign governments to extend their reach beyond borders in order to intimidate, silence, or harm members of diaspora and exile communities. This strategy aims to prevent these individuals from exercising their human rights as protected under German Basic Law. TNR encompasses various forms of abuse, including physical and digital attacks, stalking, surveillance, restricting mobility, pressuring individuals to return to their home countries, and indirect threats or coercion by proxy.
The WUC explained that while some threats may be prosecutable under German criminal law, many attacks are deliberately carried out below the level of criminal liability. Although it is often clear that these attacks are state-sponsored, proving this in court can be challenging. Key contact points, such as law enforcement agencies, frequently lack experience with transnational repression. This makes it difficult to recognise, comprehend, investigate, and address TNR effectively in Germany.
