HRC60: Item 3 General Debate

Joint Statement

I make this statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of countries.

We express our grave concern about the growing trend of transnational repression as a threat to human rights.

Transnational repression affects human rights defenders, journalists, media workers, dissidents, and persons belonging to religious minorities and diaspora communities, among others.

It is conducted by States, or actors under their effective control, to harm, silence and intimidate individuals outside their borders.

It undermines the free, full and equal realization of human rights and ultimately perpetuates an environment of fear and intimidation for victims and their families.

Comprising digital, physical and other means, transnational repression includes, but is not limited to:

• Threats or acts of physical violence, such as harassment, assault, arbitrary arrest or detention, abduction or assassination;
• Misuse of cooperation with other foreign states, international bodies and intergovernmental organizations, in order to detain, forcibly return, or repress targets, such as leveraging extraterritorial law application and counterterrorism and investigative tools;
• Forced return by confiscating passports, invalidating documents, or denying consular services;
• Digital transnational repression, such as misuse of spyware and other intrusive surveillance software, enabling physical targeting and tracking, hacking and cyber harassment, or doxing and smear campaigns, particularly targeting women;
• Targeting of and threats against in-country family members, representatives or associates.

This group of countries unequivocally condemns transnational repression, which harms national sovereignty, democracy and human rights.

We call on all states to refrain from transnational repression, hold perpetrators accountable and protect the victims.