Recommendations & Conclusions
18 items
3
Recommendation
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the Government adopt a formal definition of transnational repression. This should be developed in consultation with law enforcement, civil society and affected communities. It should include, as core elements, the ‘involvement’ of a foreign state, and the targeting of individuals located outside that state’s jurisdiction. The definition …
Government response. The government's response outlines how the National Security Act 2023 addresses state threats, including transnational repression, and mentions ongoing reviews by the Independent Reviewer and broader TNR reviews. It discusses emerging technologies and a 'whole-of-system response' but does not commit …
Ministry of Justice
4
Recommendation
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
Without clear data on the scale and nature of TNR events in the UK, it is difficult both to create effective policy responses and to judge the effectiveness of the Government’s new TNR strategy. The Government should ask police forces to collect relevant data on the number and nature of …
Government response. The government's response focuses on how transnational repression will be considered within the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) and states they will keep enhanced tier specifications under review, but it does not address the recommendation for police forces to collect …
Ministry of Justice
5
Conclusion
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
The evidence we have received indicates that existing UK criminal legislation provides an effective framework for dealing with offences related to TNR. We have not identified any significant gaps in criminal law related to TNR. We agree that the creation of additional criminal offences is not necessary at this time …
Government response. The government's response outlines the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), its objectives, and a commitment to publish an annual report on its operation and impact on TNR. It does not directly address the committee's conclusion regarding the effectiveness of existing …
Ministry of Justice
7
Conclusion
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
We welcome the introduction of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) as a tool to help strengthen the UK’s ability to tackle transnational repression. The designation of Iran and Russia as countries listed on the enhanced tier of FIRS is consistent with the evidence presented to us regarding the threat …
Government response. The government's response outlines its general approach to TNR, including awareness campaigns and police training, and states it will refine its approach. However, it does not directly address the committee's concern about the absence of China from the enhanced tier …
Ministry of Justice
8
Recommendation
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
The Government should ensure that TNR is a high priority consideration when deciding which countries should be specified under the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. Decisions on which countries to specify under the enhanced tier of FIRS must be guided by objective assessments of threat, not influenced …
Government response. The government's response discusses online guidance for individuals at risk of TNR, its review, accessibility, and integration with other resources. However, it does not address the recommendation to prioritize TNR in FIRS country designations or to specify China under the …
Ministry of Justice
9
Recommendation
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
The Home Office and relevant enforcement bodies should develop clear guidance on how FIRS data can be used to support investigations into TNR, and regular reviews should be conducted to assess the scheme’s effectiveness in this regard. (Recommendation, Paragraph 34)
Government response. The government's response outlines updates on police training modules concerning the National Security Act and foreign interference, noting their review and mandatory status for counter-terrorism officers. However, it does not address the recommendation to develop guidance on how FIRS data …
Ministry of Justice
10
Conclusion
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are increasingly used as instruments of transnational repression. These lawsuits are designed to intimidate and silence individuals who expose or criticise the actions of authoritarian regimes. The evidence we have received demonstrates that journalists are at particular risk of TNR via the use of …
Government response. The government's response discusses and rejects the establishment of a dedicated hotline for reporting transnational repression and describes existing police reporting mechanisms, failing to address the committee's conclusion regarding the limited scope of SLAPP provisions in the Economic Crime and …
Ministry of Justice
11
Recommendation
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
In response to this report, the Government should provide this Committee with a clear timeline in which it plans to review the effectiveness of the SLAPPs provisions in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The Government should also set out the criteria it intends to use to assess …
Government response. The government's response did not address the recommendation regarding a timeline or criteria for reviewing the effectiveness of SLAPPs provisions in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Ministry of Justice
12
Recommendation
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the Government develop and implement a proactive outreach strategy aimed at individuals and communities likely to be at high risk of TNR. This strategy should be developed within 12 months and include clear timelines for how engagement activities will be rolled out. The Government should engage with …
Government response. The government's response focuses on safeguards against the misuse of INTERPOL Red Notices and Diffusions, and working with INTERPOL on reforms, but it does not address the recommendation to develop and implement a proactive outreach strategy for individuals and communities …
Ministry of Justice
13
Conclusion
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
We welcome the Government’s publication of online guidance for people experiencing TNR. This is a positive step towards providing easily accessible information on TNR and helping victims understand avenues of support available to them. (Conclusion, Paragraph 48) 42
Government response. The government's response provides boilerplate text about INTERPOL's CCF and the UK's inability to intervene in other nations' judicial processes, completely failing to address the committee's welcome of online guidance for people experiencing transnational repression.
Ministry of Justice
14
Recommendation
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the content of this guidance be reviewed regularly, with input from victims, to ensure it is genuinely effective and helpful for victims and that it remains responsive to evolving TNR tactics. The Government should ensure that this guidance is made available in multiple languages within six months, …
Government response. The government's response discusses INTERPOL processes, general FCDO travel advice, and existing guidance on GOV.UK, but it fails to address the specific recommendations for regular review with victim input, multilingual provision within six months, or proactive promotion of the guidance.
Ministry of Justice
15
Conclusion
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
We welcome the development of new training materials for police forces on TNR. This represents a positive step toward improving frontline awareness and ensuring appropriate responses to TNR incidences. We welcome the decision to make this training mandatory for counter-terrorism officers. However, it is equally important that the training is …
Government response. The government's response outlines how immigration decision-makers are guided on INTERPOL Red Notices and how Country Policy and Information Notes (CPINs) consider relevant country information, including TNR. However, it does not address the committee's conclusion regarding the broader rollout of …
Ministry of Justice
16
Recommendation
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
The Government should regularly evaluate the uptake of the new police training on transnational repression. Updates on participation rates should be provided to the Committee every six months. If uptake remains limited, serious consideration should be given to making this training mandatory for all police officers. Police should also be …
Government response. The government's response discusses its general approach to TNR, diplomatic measures, and a review of the OSJA guidance, but does not address the specific recommendations regarding police training evaluation, participation rates, or making training mandatory for all officers.
Ministry of Justice
17
Conclusion
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
We heard consistent evidence highlighting the absence of an effective mechanism for reporting suspected incidents of TNR. This gap not only leaves victims without adequate support but also significantly undermines the UK’s capacity to monitor, assess, and respond to such threats. There is little consistency in the way police forces …
Government response. The government's response did not address the conclusion about the absence of an effective reporting mechanism for TNR or the inconsistent way police forces handle such cases, instead providing generic information on sanctions.
Ministry of Justice
18
Conclusion
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
Victims of TNR often take considerable personal risk in reporting TNR related crimes. Many choose not to come forward due to a lack of confidence in existing reporting systems, concerns that have often been shaped by previous negative experiences. Establishing a dedicated reporting mechanism could play a vital role in …
Government response. The government's response discusses the design, scrutiny, and legal framework of sanctions, but does not address the committee's conclusion about the importance of establishing a dedicated reporting mechanism for victims of transnational repression.
Ministry of Justice
19
Recommendation
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the Government establish a dedicated national reporting hotline for individuals who experience TNR to enhance victim support, improve data collection, and facilitate timely referrals to the appropriate personnel. The reporting hotline should be established within one year of the publication of this report. It should be staffed …
Government response. The government's response focuses on international cooperation, multilateral meetings, and G7/UN statements to raise awareness of TNR, but it does not address the recommendation to establish a dedicated national reporting hotline within one year.
Ministry of Justice
22
Recommendation
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
We recommend the Government works with ‘Five Eyes’ and other partners to track and expose malicious, vexatious, and politically motivated use of Red Notices by member states. In doing so, the Government should advocate for greater transparency and accountability within INTERPOL’s procedures and advocate for the use of corrective measures …
Government response. The government's response outlines its whole-of-government approach to countering TNR and inter-departmental collaboration, but it does not address the recommendation to work with international partners on tracking and exposing the misuse of INTERPOL Red Notices or advocating for greater transparency …
Ministry of Justice
32
Recommendation
7th Report - Transnational repression i…
Not Addressed
Due to the national security sensitivities and the need for swift action, there are limited opportunities for Parliament to scrutinise sanctions policy. We recommend that the Government provide regular confidential updates to the Intelligence and Security Committee, outlining the rationale for imposing, or not imposing sanctions, in relevant cases. (Recommendation, …
Government response. The government did not address the recommendation to provide regular confidential updates to the Intelligence and Security Committee on the rationale for imposing or not imposing sanctions. Instead, it outlined existing parliamentary scrutiny procedures for sanctions legislation and general updates …
Ministry of Justice