UN Accuses India of Targeting Sikh Activists Abroad, Sparks Outrage

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has accused the Indian government of systematic attacks on Sikh activists abroad, including the assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. In a report dated 19 Nov 2024 and made public on 18 Jan, UN Special Rapporteurs highlighted allegations of transnational repression, intimidation, and harassment targeting Sikh activists in Canada, the US, and other countries. The report condemned India’s alleged violations of international law, including the right to life, freedom of expression, and minority rights, and criticised the misuse of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to suppress Sikh activism. The UNHRC expressed concern over a pattern of transnational repression aimed at silencing Sikh political activism, including criticism of the Indian government. The report also referenced the 2021 farmers’ protests in India, where Sikh protesters were accused of having a pro-Khalistan agenda and faced severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms. The Indian government dismissed the allegations as biased and accused the UNHRC of supporting a Sikh separatist agenda. This has drawn sharp criticism from Sikh organisations like the Sikh Federation (SF) UK, which called for global attention to India’s actions. The SF-UK described India’s response as ‘outrageous’ and urged Western nations, including the US and Canada, to take serious note of the UNHRC’s findings (WD Vol 3, Issue 4, Story 6). Meanwhile, in the UK, the Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO) has urged Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to include race and religion as factors in the inquiry into grooming gangs, citing cases where Sikh and Hindu girls were allegedly targeted by predominantly Muslim perpetrators. The NSO emphasised the need to address cultural and religious motivations behind such crimes, despite opposition from some Muslim groups.