Transnational Lives in the Shadow of Repression: Diaspora Youth and the Struggle for Democracy


  • This project investigates the role of the second generation diaspora in the
    global struggle for democracy. It aims to understand how authoritarian regimes engage with or repress their young diasporas and the ways in which these youths either support or resist them. The project is as a qualitative comparative case study of Rwanda, Eritrea, Turkey and Egypt. The GIGA is responsible for the case study on Eritrea.
    Swedish Research Council, 2020-2023


    Research Questions

    - What strategies do repressive states employ to mobilize and/or control their second-generation diasporas?
    - What are the motives, opportunities, and obstacles for second generation diasporas to mobilize in support of repressive government of their homeland?
    - What are the motives, opportunities, and obstacles for second generation diasporas to mobilize against repression in their respective homeland states?

    Contribution to International Research

    This project investigates the role of the second generation, the children of migrants, in what one might call the global struggle for democracy. Authoritarianism is, alongside armed conflict, a key factor for forced migration, and non-democratic regimes increasingly seek to stifle dissent not only within but increasingly also across borders. Given the special position of the second generation – having roots in at least two countries –, this project aims to better understand how authoritarian regimes engage with or control their second-generation diasporas, as well as the ways in which these youths either support or resist them.

    Research Design and Methods

    The project is designed as a qualitative comparative case study of four authoritarian states in Africa and the Middle East with sizable diasporas. Whilst taking its point of departure in the Swedish context, the project identifies relevant groups, organizations and initiatives in Sweden, Europe, and the world. The researchers will analyse policy documents and other documentation, as well as conduct interviews with relevant actors.

    The research team will map four authoritarian states’ strategies for engaging their young generation abroad by analysing policy documents and conducting interviews. Subsequently, the research team will study the young generations’ motivations, opportunities, and obstacles for either supporting or resisting the authoritarian regimes in their parents’ homelands.

    The GIGA is responsible for the case study on Eritrea.

    Preliminary Findings

    In the case of Eritrea, second-generation diasporans retain a strong affiliation to their country of origin. However, some of them consciously exit from the Eritrean political realm and rather engage in their European home country, partly due to negative experiences with the Eritrean opposition in exile.


    Chapter in Edited Volume | 09/2022

    Eritreer*innen in der Diaspora: der Einfluss des eritreischen Regimes und regimetreue Strukturen in Deutschland

    Eden Mengis

    Büro für diskriminierungskritische Arbeit Stuttgart

    Äthiopische Diaspora: Daheim ist Krieg

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