Where the law stands, Dossier 2025/2048(INI)
Addressing transnational repression of human rights defenders
Own-initiative report (INI): Parliament’s own position on a topic. It is not binding. · First reading
Parliament sets out its own position on a topic. The resolution is not binding but signals what Parliament wants.
Where it stands
Parliament’s position
Parliament adopted the text on 13 November 2025. This is its final position on the matter.
- Referred to committee(done) 13 March 2025
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 16 October 2025
- Tabled for plenary(done) 23 October 2025
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 13 November 2025
- Parliament’s position(done) Final
Decided in plenary
13 November 2025 · decision 18
Foreign affairs, Resolution
Addressing transnational repression of human rights defenders
Adopted 512 for · 76 against · 52 abstained by an overwhelming majority
AI summary:The text condemns such repression and calls for a common legal framework and stronger EU and member state protection for defenders, including through digital platform regulation and sanctions.
What changed
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament
AI summary:Adds Cuba as a perpetrator and condemns an attack on a former Parliament vice-president. Softens provisions on shelter and asylum, removing specific calls for humanitarian visas and family reunification. Drops a paragraph on enforcing digital services and due diligence for tech companies.
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary
AI summary:The report now proposes a formal definition of transnational repression and adds detailed statistics on its prevalence, naming specific perpetrator states. New provisions address digital repression, including spyware, social media, and technology companies' accountability, with calls for due diligence and reporting mechanisms. Protection measures for human rights defenders are expanded, covering visas, asylum, relocation, and support for gender-specific threats. The report strengthens calls for sanctions, legal accountability, and diplomatic coordination against perpetrators, including within EU member states. The other changes are formal: updated statistics in the explanatory statement.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- Foreign Affairs
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Chloé Ridel (S&D)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- Antonio López-Istúriz White (EPP), Matthieu Valet (Patriots), Mariusz Kamiński (ECR), Jan-Christoph Oetjen (Renew), Hannah Neumann (Greens), Rima Hassan (The Left), Tomasz Froelich (ESN)
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Adopted by Parliament· 13 Nov 2025
AI summary:Parliament's resolution on transnational repression of human rights defenders condemns such repression, proposes a definition, and calls for EU action to protect HRDs, including through monitoring, digital safeguards, sanctions, and support.
Tabled for plenary· 23 Oct 2025
AI summary:Parliament's resolution on addressing transnational repression of human rights defenders proposes a definition, condemns the practice, and calls for EU and Member State action to protect defenders.
Committee draft· 10 Jun 2025
AI summary:This draft report addresses transnational repression (TNR) of human rights defenders (HRDs). It condemns TNR, calls for EU policies to include TNR, and proposes measures for monitoring, digital oversight, accountability, and sanctions.
Timeline
Newest first.
Plenary stage 4 steps
13 November 2025
Plenary vote
Sitting of 13 Nov 2025 Report A10-0206/2025Adopted text TA10-0258/2025
12 November 2025
Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
5 November 2025
2 amendments tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
23 October 2025
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 4 steps
16 October 2025
Committee vote: report adopted
AFET (Foreign Affairs) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
10 July 2025
Amendments tabled in committee
Members of AFET (Foreign Affairs) proposed changes to the draft.
10 June 2025
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in AFET (Foreign Affairs). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
13 March 2025
Referred to the AFET (Foreign Affairs) committee
The lead committee prepares Parliament’s report.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2025/2048(INI)