European Parliament Study on Transnational Repression Highlights Interpol Red Notice Abuse

Last week, we hosted a discussion at London’s Frontline Club examining transnational repression and the weaponisation of Interpol’s Red Notice system by authoritarian regimes. The panel, featuring Catherine Philp of The Times and investigative journalist Sahar Zand, explored how governments increasingly target journalists, dissidents, and activists beyond their borders. Following that event, initial reflections on these issues were published on International Human Rights Advisor’s website. This piece draws attention to a significant new development that highlights the urgency of our discussion.

In June 2025, the European Parliament published a comprehensive study examining transnational repression of human rights defenders and the responsibility of host states to protect them. The 106-page report, commissioned by the Subcommittee on Human Rights, provides a detailed analysis of how authoritarian regimes extend domestic political controls across borders to silence critics living in exile or as part of diaspora communities.

The study documents an alarming escalation in transnational repression incidents across the globe, with authoritarian governments deploying increasingly sophisticated methods to reach critics who have fled their home countries. Within EU Member States, the report identifies a substantial number of confirmed incidents targeting human rights defenders – figures that represent only the tip of the iceberg, as many acts of transnational repression remain covert and unreported.

The European Parliament’s findings are particularly concerning regarding the abuse of Interpol’s systems. The report highlights how governments continue exploiting Red Notices to detain, restrict movement, and facilitate the deportation of exiled critics, despite Interpol’s efforts to limit such abuse. Countries including Azerbaijan, Iran, and Türkiye have systematically weaponised the system for political purposes, with confirmed Interpol notices repeatedly issued against human rights defenders throughout the EU.

Significantly, the European Parliament study cited our earlier article in The Economist from May 2025, in which we argued that “Interpol is no longer fit for purpose.” This recognition by EU policymakers demonstrates that the concerns we have raised – both in our legal practice and public advocacy – are gaining traction at the highest levels of European governance. The study’s authors acknowledged that

“despite growing awareness among states that certain governments abuse Interpol Red Notices, it is still a key player in facilitating transnational repression.”

The report puts forward comprehensive recommendations for EU institutions and Member States, including expanding the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime to cover transnational repression, establishing dedicated support mechanisms for targeted human rights defenders, and applying rigorous scrutiny to politically motivated Interpol notices. These proposals align closely with the reforms we have long advocated for in our work before the UK’s Joint Committee on Human Rights and in our representation of clients facing politically motivated Red Notices.

The study makes clear that transnational repression represents a direct assault on fundamental rights occurring on European soil. This is a foreign policy challenge, yes, but it is also an immediate threat to individuals living within the EU. Member States must strengthen legal protections, ensure Interpol’s systems cannot be exploited for political persecution, and stand firmly in defence of press freedom and human rights defenders.

At Red Notice Monitor, we will continue to analyse developments in this critical area and provide specialised legal representation to those targeted by transnational repression. Whether you need advice on challenging a politically motivated Red Notice, require representation before the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files, or are facing extradition proceedings linked to authoritarian abuse of international systems, experienced Interpol Red Notice lawyers remain essential.

For more information about challenging politically motivated Red Notices, understanding your options to delete a Red Notice, or for expert legal advice on transnational repression from leading Red Notice lawyers, contact Red Notice Monitor.

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