In a report adopted on Tuesday by 434 votes in favour,128 against, and with 104 abstentions, Parliament examines the serious and growing threat of transnational repression (TNR), namely deliberate acts or threats by states and authoritarian regimes, state-affiliated entities or their proxies to defend their interests across borders by threatening, silencing, coercing or harming individuals or groups living abroad, and their support networks and family members. Considering these acts a threat to democracy and the protection of human rights, and a form of foreign interference, they call on the European Commission and EU member states to commit to a zero-tolerance approach and pursue decisive and coordinated action to clamp down on all forms of TNR occurring on EU territory.

The report says the lack of a clear definition of TNR contributes to under-reporting, limits effective policy responses and hinders the use of accountability tools, including sanctions mechanisms. MEPs therefore…