Governments Targeted Critics Abroad in 2025, Report Finds

Thirty countries used assassination, assault, kidnapping, and other tactics to silence dissidents who had fled their home nations.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:55am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office or bureaucratic space, with warm sunlight streaming in through a window and casting deep shadows across the room, conveying a sense of isolation and the oppressive nature of authoritarian power.The report's findings expose the disturbing reach of authoritarian regimes as they seek to silence dissidents beyond their borders.Dallas Today

According to a report by Freedom House, 30 governments reached beyond their national borders in 2025 to target critics through assassination, assault, kidnapping, detention, deportation, and threats. The report, titled "Collaboration and Resistance: Tracking Transnational Repression in 2025", documented 126 new incidents of physical transnational repression, with China, Vietnam, and Russia identified as the top perpetrators.

Why it matters

This disturbing trend of authoritarian governments coordinating efforts to silence individuals who have fled their home countries is a serious threat to human rights and freedom of expression globally. It highlights the need for stronger international cooperation and accountability measures to combat this abuse of sovereignty.

The details

The report found that over half of the recorded incidents - 69 out of 126 - occurred in Southeast Asia and East Africa, driven by economic incentives and geopolitical pressure from Beijing in Asia, and cooperation between governments like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in East Africa to trade dissidents between countries. The report also identified six governments using these tactics for the first time: Afghanistan, Benin, Georgia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

  • The report was released on April 16, 2026.
  • The research covered incidents that occurred in 2025.

The players

Freedom House

A non-profit organization that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom, and human rights.

China

Identified as the world's leading perpetrator of transnational repression in 2025.

Vietnam

Identified as one of the top perpetrators of transnational repression in 2025.

Russia

Identified as one of the top perpetrators of transnational repression in 2025.

Dr. Yana Gorokhovskaia

A co-author of the Freedom House report.

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What they’re saying

“More and more governments are attempting to silence critics who have fled their home countries to seek freedom. This disturbing trend should be a wake-up call for policymakers around the world.”

— Jamie Fly, CEO of Freedom House

“Authoritarians are increasingly working together and employing more sophisticated tactics, urging democracies to combat this abuse of sovereignty and freedom.”

— Jamie Fly, CEO of Freedom House

What’s next

The FBI has established defenses to counter transnational repression, including working to bring awareness to the issue and urging the public to report incidents to law enforcement.

The takeaway

This report highlights the growing threat of authoritarian governments collaborating to silence dissidents who have fled their home countries, underscoring the need for stronger international cooperation and accountability measures to protect human rights and freedom of expression globally.