Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transnational Repression by Hostile States

Monday 26 February 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Transnational repression targeting activists in the UK is a serious concern raised by Five Eyes nations.
  • The Government continuously assesses threats to individual rights and safety and takes action when necessary.
  • A review is underway to develop a robust strategy to counter transnational repression on British soil.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Preet Kaur Gill Labour (Co-op) Birmingham Edgbaston
Community Security Democracy & Elections Religion & Faith
Context

The question arises from concerns about foreign states silencing dissent in democracies, specifically targeting Sikh activists in the UK.

Question

Transnational repression to silence dissent in democracies is extremely serious. In recent months, Five Eyes nations have raised concerns about the actions of agents with links to India targeting Sikh activists in the United Kingdom. Most disturbingly, there have been alleged assassinations and foiled assassination plots. The US and Canadian authorities have taken the lead at senior levels to publicly call out this challenge to their sovereignty, the rule of law and their democratic values. Given the reports of British Sikhs facing similar threats, what steps are the Government taking to secure their safety? Will the Minister show the same strength as our partners do in publicly defending their democratic rights?

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

Let me be completely clear: if there are any specific threats against any British citizen by any foreign power, we will take immediate action. The Sikh community should be as safe as every other community in the United Kingdom. All British citizens are equal, whatever their colour, creed, faith or political allegiance. The reality is that we have taken all the action we believe is appropriate at this stage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify any specific measures beyond general assurances and did not address requests for public defense of democratic rights.

How: Let Me Be Completely Clear, We Have Taken All The Action We Believe Is Appropriate At This Stage

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Q2 Preet Kaur Gill Labour (Co-op) Birmingham Edgbaston
Foreign Affairs
Context

Concerns about foreign states silencing dissent in democracies, specifically targeting Sikh activists in the UK.

Question

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of steps taken by his Department to tackle transnational repression by hostile states.

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. She is aware that the Government are continually assessing the potential threats to individual rights and freedoms and to safety across the United Kingdom. Whenever we identify such threats, we will always use every measure at our disposal, including our intelligence services, to mitigate any threat to individuals. The National Security Act 2023 includes measures to tackle foreign interference, including transnational repression.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific assessment of the effectiveness but instead referred to general measures and ongoing assessments.

How: I Thank The Hon. Lady For Her Question, We Will Always Use Every Measure At Our Disposal

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Q3 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Foreign Affairs
Context

The need for a robust strategy to counter transnational repression, given historical cases like the Salisbury poison attack and intimidation of journalists.

Question

Russia's deadly poison attack in Salisbury, Iran's intimidation of Iran International journalists and China's secret police stations have long showed the need for a robust strategy to counter transnational repression on British soil. The Minister mentioned that a review is under way into the UK's approach to transnational repression. When will it be published, and will it be part of a wider strategy to counter hostile state activity in this country?

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. The review is under way, and it includes many different elements from communities from around the world who are now settled happily in the United Kingdom. We of course maintain a very close relationship with our Five Eyes partners, and we are absolutely clear that if the situation changes and we need to take action, we will do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify a timeline for publication or confirm inclusion in a broader strategy.

How: I Thank The Hon. Gentleman For His Question, If The Situation Changes And We Need To Take Action, We Will Do So

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