In the Shadows of Control: Transnational Repression and the Quest for Social and Religious Protection in the Eritrean Diaspora

Transnational perspectives have shed light on the complex interplay of economic, socio-cultural, religious, and political dimensions shaping migratory cross-border links and processes. However, the phenomenon of transnational repression—defined as the exertion of state control and coercion across borders—has been underexplored, particularly concerning its religious dimensions. This article seeks to address this gap by focusing on the Eritrean diaspora, a group significantly impacted by the authoritarian regime’s long reach. Central to my inquiry is the question: How do transnational repression mechanisms shape religious practices, spaces and political identities of the Eritrean diaspora in Norway, and how do Eritrean dissidents receive social and religious protection outside the framework of the nation-state? By integrating insights from transnational social protection theories, political anthropology and religious studies, this research aims to illuminate the experiences of Eritrean dissenters within the diaspora, exploring the religious spaces they navigate amid repression and the forms of social protection they seek and create. Preliminary findings indicate that religious exclusion, threats, and the formation of alternative worship spaces are common experiences, yet qualitative research on these dynamics remains scarce. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the religious and socio-political landscape of transnational repression and protection mechanisms, emphasizing the need for bottom-up perspectives that reflect the lived realities of diaspora communities.