The UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights has published a recording of its latest evidence session on transnational repression, exposing the mounting dangers faced by activists in the UK—particularly those targeted by the Iranian regime. The March 11 session featured testimonies from pro-democracy activist Chloe Cheung and Hossein Abedini, deputy director of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), alongside legal experts specializing in Interpol abuse. Witnesses detailed how Iranian intelligence networks and affiliated groups conduct surveillance, intimidation, and threats against dissidents on British soil.
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to the UK @HumanRightsCtte, and to each of its esteemed members, for your tireless dedication to defending the principles of justice and human dignity. Your commitment to upholding human rights and standing against the… pic.twitter.com/sTVP5yIU1J
— Hossein Abedini (@HoAbedini) March 13, 2025
In addition to activists’ accounts, barristers Rhys Davies and Ben Keith provided insight into the misuse of Interpol Red Notices. These international alerts, designed to track down criminals, are often exploited by authoritarian regimes to silence political opponents. The legal experts called for stricter oversight of Interpol’s mechanisms and enhanced protections to prevent politically motivated targeting.
Lord Alton, Chair of the Home Affairs Committee, praised the witnesses’ bravery and stressed the urgency of the issue. “The threats faced by activists in the UK due to hostile foreign interference are deeply troubling. We have long been a refuge for those fleeing political persecution, but that status is now in jeopardy. It is critical to assess whether we are doing enough to safeguard these individuals.”
— Lord (David) Alton (@DavidAltonHL) March 13, 2025
The hearing highlights growing concerns over the UK’s ability to shield political dissidents from foreign threats. The committee is expected to explore legislative and policy measures to strengthen protections, address Interpol’s vulnerabilities, and escalate diplomatic pressure on nations engaged in transnational repression.
Hossein Abedini underscored the Iranian regime’s systematic campaign against dissidents abroad, warning that Iran-linked ‘cultural centers’ in the UK serve as covert surveillance hubs to monitor and intimidate activists. He urged the UK government to take decisive action against the Iranian regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), calling for its formal proscription and stronger security measures to protect those targeted by Iranian intelligence operations.
