“Fighting
back against transnational repression”, the Parliamentary Assembly
notes the grave threat posed by tactics employed by authoritarian
regimes beyond their borders to repress political opponents and
silence dissent. Regardless of the method used, such practices violate
State sovereignty, democratic and national security, as well as
the human rights of the individuals targeted. In order to combat
this intensifying phenomenon adequately, the Council of Europe should
lead international efforts to offer a co-ordinated response, based
on the best practices of its member and observer States, while also
taking the input of civil society into account. Accordingly, the
Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:
1.1 as a matter of priority, consider
drawing up an international legal instrument, including possibly
a convention, on preventing and punishing transnational repression,
taking into account best practices from member and observer States.
Such an instrument should include a definition of transnational repression
and set out minimum legislative and other measures to equip member
States with effective tools to curb this phenomenon and protect
its victims;
1.2 instruct the European Committee on Crime Problems to examine
the feasibility of criminalising transnational repression as a distinct
offence;
1.3 consider the most appropriate forum within the Council
of Europe to facilitate regular exchanges of information regarding
cases of transnational repression as well as to enable member and
observer States to share and promote best practices in fighting
back against this phenomenon;
1.4 regularly organise a thematic discussion on transnational
repression in Europe;
1.5 consider introducing dissuasive measures to sanction States
Parties to the Council of Europe conventions on extradition, mutual
legal assistance and similar instruments, where these instruments are
misused for the purpose of carrying out transnational repression.
