Iran is at the forefront of a surge in state-backed threats, harassment and surveillance targeting individuals on British soil, a cross-party parliamentary report has warned. In a strongly worded assessment, the Joint Committee on Human Rights accused foreign governments of targeting dissidents and exiles in Britain as part of a growing pattern of “transnational repression.”
“Iran is currently the most prolific perpetrator of transnational repression in the UK,” the report said.
“The Iranian regime has targeted both activists and journalists who are UK citizens or residents, in particular those of Iranian heritage, for harassment and threats.”
Evidence presented to the committee included threats made against UK-based journalists at Iran International, as well as harassment of students and campaigners.
Officials warned that the scale of Iranian activity had reached “unprecedented” levels and now posed “a serious and immediate threat to the UK’s national security.”
Between 2022 and 2023 alone, the Metropolitan Police disrupted or intervened in at least 15 “credible threats to life” linked to Iranian state actors.
“Transnational repression is a growing problem,” the report stated.
“While it is not new, it is increasingly being used by states to threaten and intimidate those in the UK who criticise them. It represents a violation of the rights of those targeted, a threat to the UK’s sovereignty and security, and a challenge to democratic values.”
China and Russia were also singled out.
Beijing faced criticism for targeting Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners and Uighur activists living in the UK. MPs cited evidence of Chinese “overseas police service stations” and pressure on universities to monitor student speech, including encouragement to spy on classmates.
“We heard that the Chinese authorities have targeted pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong, members of the Uighur community, and other perceived dissidents in the UK. Tactics have included surveillance, harassment, threats to family members overseas, and attempts to control behaviour through student groups and embassy contacts.”
Moscow, meanwhile, was accused of using both “covert and overt” methods, including digital surveillance and threats of violence.
The 2018 Salisbury poisonings were cited as a shocking example of direct state aggression.
“The Russian state has shown it is willing to use extreme measures to silence critics abroad,” the report noted.
“The poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury was a clear and shocking case of state violence.”
Beyond the three principal offenders, the report also highlighted transnational repression by Turkey, India, Rwanda, and several Gulf states.
AndUK authorities are often ill-equipped to understand or respond to such threats, warned the report.
While the National Security Act 2023 has strengthened the legal framework, MPs and peers said police and intelligence services may lack the cultural knowledge and language skills needed to counter foreign tactics.
“Victims told us that the police and security services do not always understand the methods and motivations of those engaged in transnational repression,” the report stated.
“They do not always feel confident that the authorities will take their concerns seriously or respond appropriately.”
Among the committee’s key recommendations was the creation of a dedicated hotline for victims to report incidents. “This should be managed by a Government department and publicised via relevant community groups and organisations.”
It also warned that: “Turkey has sought the extradition of critics; India has been linked to the killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada; and Gulf states have monitored and harassed exiles and activists.”
Despite the seriousness of these threats, many UK-based victims feel unsupported.
“Those targeted by transnational repression in the UK must be able to rely on the support and protection of the British state,” the committee warned.
“That is not always their experience.”
The report urged the Home Office to issue clear guidance and expand police training across forces.
Other proposals included regular briefings with diaspora communities and closer scrutiny of foreign-linked assets and donations.
Committee member Lord Alton of Liverpool called the evidence “very disturbing and powerful” and urged swift government action.
“We heard of a young woman with a one million Hong Kong dollar bounty placed on her head. People like her are being threatened and intimidated,” he said.
“One person was left bleeding on the street after an attack.
“We need to give them a way of reporting what is being done to them, which is why the committee has recommended the creation of a dedicated hotline.”
He added that addressing the issue would also require systemic reform.
“We need a new strategic, legislative, and political approach. The threats are real, they are happening here in the UK, and they are evolving.”
In its stark conclusion, the committee said: “Transnational repression is incompatible with the UK’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
“The Government must do more to ensure that those who find refuge in this country are protected from foreign threats to their lives and liberties.”