About the Project
Transnational repression arises where governments target their nationals who live abroad in order to prevent acts of political or social dissent or, in other words, to silence them. This includes, for example, the targeted surveillance of dissidents abroad with intrusive spyware, or the kidnapping and killing of dissidents in exile such as Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Increased global migration and refugee flows, the growing capabilities for repression in an Internet-connected and globalized world, and the lack of consequences for engaging in such activities have contributed to transnational repression becoming an increasingly common practice mirroring the global spread of authoritarianism. The expansion of transnational repression is of particular concern because of its ability to impede transnational advocacy by communities in exile seeking political and social change in their country of origin.
Objectives
This PhD project aims to build on emerging research by translating the concept of transnational repression into the legal domain and examining the legality of such activities under international human rights law.
