Egyptians, Chinese or Russians, political dissidents are tracked down to Switzerland – Rts.ch

“I did not expect to live this in Geneva,” said Swi Swissinfo.ch Basma MostafaEgyptian investigation journalist, now refugees in Germany. In addition, “They followed me three days in a row to the inside of my hotel. Similarly, ” she said, referring to her last stay in Switzerland last year.

“On the third day, a man approached me. Therefore, In Arabic. Nevertheless, he told me that he knew who I was, that he belonged to the Egyptian police and that he could stop me if he wanted,” added the young woman, who has undergone the repression of her country of origin for several years. Moreover, “That night, I couldn’t close egyptians, chinese russians, political dissidents my eye. Meanwhile, I was afraid that they will come back and that they take me away.”

Basma Mostafa does not know exactly who these men were. but it is certain that it was his compatriots. “It was horrible. egyptians, chinese russians, political dissidents Their technique is to make you doubt their limits, what they are really capable of doing,” she explains. “They play on your vulnerabilities. Here, the fact that I was alone in Switzerland, a country that I do not know, far from my family.”

A repression that crosses borders – Egyptians, chinese russians, political dissidents

The facts mentioned by the Egyptian are called what is called transnational repression. This phenomenon takes various forms: threats, intimidation, surveillance, or even pressure on families who have remained in the country. But he always aims to silence criticisms within foreign diasporas.

The case of the journalist is far from isolated. “Transnational repression. in particular against human rights defenders, is a trend that worsens,” confirms Phil Lynch, director of ISHR, an NGO based in Geneva. According to him, it is a “risk that activists must consider” when they go to Switzerland.

Geneva, suitable land

Because the city at the end of the lake is particularly exposed. The egyptians, chinese russians, political dissidents presence of the Office of Human Rights. the UN Human Rights Council, coupled with the fact that almost all Member States have a diplomatic representation on site, constitutes an environment conducive to spying and discreet pressure.

“It is very difficult to estimate the exact magnitude of this repression in Switzerland. but we can assume that it is important,” explains Ralph Weber. Professor at the University of Basel. he is the author of a study On the repression suffered by the Tibetan and Uïghoure communities of the country. A mandated report by the government was also published at the start of the year. According to the professor. the difficulty is mainly due to the fact that the victims rarely report their case, for fear that their families will suffer the consequences.

For his part. Phil Lynch confirms that his NGO has documented “a certain number of cases” linked, among others, to China, Russia and Egypt, including that of Basma Mostafa. But it does not give any specific figures. “These acts range from threats to surveillance. monitoring and intimidation,” he said, adding that they take place on Swiss soil as in the United Nations.

In April. theInternational “China Targets” survey Unveiled the way China monitors and intimidated its dissidents and dissidents in Geneva, in particular by photographing them during demonstrations or when they go to the Palais des Nations.

A global phenomenon

Since 2014, the American NGO Freedom House has identified more than 1,200 cases of transnational repression in a hundred countries. egyptians, chinese russians, political dissidents Only “physical” incidents are recorded, which relate to 48 states that have used kidnappings, arbitrary detentions, illegal attacks or evictions. Nineteen countries have also used spy software to track down their opponents. Switzerland does not appear in the study.

Among the main officials are China, Turkey, Russia, Egypt, Iran and several Central Asian countries.

In Switzerland. the report published this year by the Federal Council focuses on Tibetans and Uighurs Faced with threats and monitoring of China. He also quotes Russia, Iran, Turkey and Eritrea among the main authors of similar acts. “This is egyptians, chinese russians, political dissidents not a new phenomenon. but current technological means make control of diasporas easier and more efficient,” concludes Ralph Weber.

Article original: Dorian Burkhalter (swi swissinfo.ch)

Adaptation: Julien Furrer (RTSinfo)