DEFENDING
DEMOCRACY IN EXILE
Policy Responses to
Transnational Repression
CASE STUDY
The United Kingdom
T
he United Kingdom has been the site of numerous high-profile attacks against exiles and is an
important destination for diasporas at risk of transnational repression. Authorities are aware of
the threat posed by transnational repression. However, foreign policy responses are hampered by
political relationships with perpetrator states. Migration policies are a major weakness in the UK’s
preparedness to address transnational repression, with antimigrant policies putting potential victims
at greater risk.
Best practices in the UK’s response to transnational repression:
•
The national security framework recognizes transnational state threats that include
physical threats to individuals, such as assassination, forced repatriation, and harassment.
•
Law enforcement agencies take proactive protective measures by issuing warnings to people
who face credible threats against their lives.
•
Sanctions and other diplomatic responses create accountability following acts of
transnational repression.
•
Safeguards in the extradition process, including judicial oversight, help prevent
refoulement.
Army begins clean
up operation after
poisoning of Sergei
Skripal in Salisbury,
United Kingdom
on April 24, 2018,
Finbarr Webster via
Shutterstock.