10
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are increasingly used as instruments of transnational repression.
Conclusion
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are increasingly used as instruments of transnational repression. These lawsuits are designed to intimidate and silence individuals who expose or criticise the actions of authoritarian regimes. The evidence we have received demonstrates that journalists are at particular risk of TNR via the use of SLAPPs. Whilst the inclusion of SLAPP provisions in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 was a welcome first step towards tackling SLAPPs, the current framework is limited to measures related to economic crime and fails to address the broader use of SLAPPs as a tool of transnational repression. Expanding the scope of protections is essential to safeguarding freedom of expression and ensuring that the UK does not become a jurisdiction of choice for legal harassment. (Conclusion, Paragraph 40)
Government Response
Acknowledged
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
1. The Government is committed to ensuring that individuals who believe they may be victims of TNR have access to clear, trusted, and effective mechanisms for reporting concerns and receiving support. The Defending Democracy Taskforce’s Review carefully considered, in consultation with CTP, how best to encourage reporting and ensure that reports are treated seriously and dealt with appropriately. 2. CTP keep the means and mechanisms for engaging and building community confidence and effective police response under continuous review. As discussed with the Committee, CTP’s assessment, developed in conjunction with the Government, is that the 999 and 101 lines are the most widely known and easily accessible means of contacting policing, ensuring that handlers can assess and provide the most appropriate level of assistance, which, when required, can be immediate. This also allows calls to be assessed and referred for further action to specialists depending on the nature of the crime – which includes state threats. 3. Existing police hotlines and reporting mechanisms also include provisions to access translators to assist callers who may not be able to communicate in English, and CTP’s work to increase awareness and confidence in reporting across policing includes outreach to and through translation services. CTP is also seeking to increase understanding of TNR among those providing translation services for policing. 4. CTP continue to work with call handlers across policing to ensure that all reports potentially including state threats are flagged to specialist teams for assessment, while also ensuring the local force takes immediate action if and where required. 5. CTP believes that introducing a bespoke reporting hotline for TNR would be duplicative and potentially cause confusion. There is a risk it might be unclear what number individuals should call and when, and such a system could undermine the clarity and effectiveness of existing mechanisms. Given the targeted and specific nature of TNR in the UK, expected call volumes would be low, and the resource investment required to establish and maintain a separate hotline would not be proportionate. 6. Moreover, a dedicated hotline risks reinforcing the perception that TNR is widespread or ubiquitous, which could inadvertently spread fear, encourage false reporting, or be misused as a surveillance tool. Our public messaging is designed to be proportionate and protective, and our reporting systems are structured to ensure that police - not the public - triage cases and assess threat levels. 7. The Government will continue to work with policing to strengthen awareness, confidence, and capability in responding to TNR, while ensuring that our approach remains proportionate, effective, and focused on protecting those most at risk.
Source
Committee
Human Rights (Joint Committee)
Report
7th Report - Transnational repression in the UK
30 Jul 2025
HC 681
Addressee Bodies
Ministry of Justice
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.9 yr
Report published
30 Jul 2025