UN experts warn of rising transnational repression against rights defenders

A group of United Nations human rights experts has issued a joint statement warning that activists protecting vulnerable communities face growing threats that cross national borders — a pattern the experts call transnational repression.

The statement, published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), was co-signed by the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism. Its inclusion signals that people advocating for the rights of those with albinism are among those considered at risk under this broader pattern of harassment.

Transnational repression, as described in the statement, refers to governments or other powerful actors reaching beyond their own borders to silence, intimidate, or harm individuals who speak out. The experts noted that such tactics have intensified in recent years and increasingly target human rights defenders operating internationally.

The UN experts called on states to strengthen legal protections for defenders operating across borders and to hold perpetrators accountable regardless of where the threats originate. The statement did not name specific countries or individual cases.

Why this matters for the albinism community

For organisations and individuals who advocate on behalf of people with albinism — particularly those working across Sub-Saharan Africa, where ritual attacks remain documented — the statement carries direct weight. Activists in this space often operate across borders: documenting cases, supporting survivors, and pressing governments to act.

The Independent Expert on Albinism has consistently documented how defenders in this community face risks not only from local actors but from networks that operate across national lines. The co-signing of this joint statement places those risks within a recognised global framework of concern.

The full statement is available through the OHCHR website.