When authoritarian governments extend their laws, surveillance, and political pressure beyond their own borders, how can overseas communities continue to speak out safely? And how can democratic societies protect those who live, organize, and advocate within their territories?
In 2017, Taiwanese human rights activist Lee Ming-che disappeared after entering China. He was subsequently sentenced by the Chinese authorities to five years in prison for “subversion of state power.” The speech and activities cited against him had taken place in Taiwan, yet he was nevertheless prosecuted by China under its domestic law.
The Lee Ming-che case was not only an instance of judicial persecution against an individual. It also demonstrated how authoritarian regimes can extend their control beyond national borders through extraterritorial jurisdiction, surveillance, administrative pressure, and information manipulation.
This event brings together Taiwanese human rights activist Lee Ming-che, Uyghur-Taiwanese human rights advocate Tashken Davlet, I-Min Hsiao, who has long worked on judicial reform and victim support, and Ivan Choi, Project Manager of the New School for Democracy. Drawing on their personal experiences and advocacy work, the speakers will discuss:
▸ How have China’s transnational repression and extraterritorial jurisdiction evolved?
▸ How do overseas influence operations, information manipulation, and political interference undermine democratic societies?
▸ What forms of support and protection are needed for victims of political persecution and transnational repression?
▸ How can Taiwan and Europe build more effective mechanisms for international cooperation?
Transnational repression is not a distant issue affecting only isolated individuals. It is a challenge shared by democratic societies around the world. We invite you to join us in Berlin to better understand how authoritarian power crosses borders—and to explore how we can work together to defend human rights, freedom, and democracy.
Date｜Sunday, 11 October 2026
Time｜10:00–12:00 CEST (Berlin Time)
Venue｜Cultural Hall, 1st Floor, Taipei Representative Office in the Federal Republic of Germany
Address｜Markgrafenstraße 35, 10117 Berlin
Speakers｜Lee Ming-che, Tashken Davlet, I-Min Hsiao, Ivan Choi
Organizers｜New School for Democracy, Taiwan Association in Sweden, Kulturverein Ananasli, European Taiwan Support Association
Co-organizers｜Junge Taiwan Initiative, Freiheit für Hongkong e.V.