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Transnational Repression in the UK 2025-09-01
01 September 2025
Lead MP
Alex Sobel
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Alex Sobel raised concerns about transnational repression in the uk 2025-09-01 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Committee on Human Rights believes that transnational repression is a serious and under-recognised threat, impacting fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, assembly, and association. The report highlights China, Russia, and Iran as the most flagrant perpetrators in the UK, with recent high-profile cases including bounties against Hong Kong pro-democracy activists and Iran’s intimidation of UK-based journalists. MI5 has seen a 48% increase in state threat investigations in the last year. The Committee recommends adopting a formal definition of transnational repression and establishing data collection mechanisms.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Asked if the Committee had considered transnational repression against individuals from Iran living in exile, mentioning his work with religious freedom groups. The Committee heard testimony from an Iranian diaspora member nearly killed outside of Iran due to state-directed violence.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Acknowledged the chilling effect transnational repression has on individuals and communities, citing a meeting with Bracknell’s Hong Kong community where some members were too afraid to attend. Emphasised that no individual or community should feel unable to engage in democratic processes due to fear of repercussions.
Honiton and Sidmouth
The Member questions the adequacy of current anti-SLAPP measures and legislation. He points out that a private Member's Bill aimed at introducing anti-SLAPP legislation was proposed but failed in the previous government. The Member asks whether more needs to be done on this issue and how soon such action should be taken.
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