USCIRF Wants India Designated As ‘Country of Particular Concern’

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has expressed its extreme disappointment that the US Department of State has yet again failed to designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern (CPC). 'The Indian government’s alleged involvement in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and the plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States are deeply troubling, and represent a severe escalation of India’s efforts to silence religious minorities and human rights defenders both within its country and abroad,' said USCIRF Commissioner Stephen Schneck. 'Within its own borders, Indian authorities have repeatedly used draconian legislation like the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and anti-conversion laws to systematically crack down on religious minorities, journalists, and activists,' said USCIRF Commissioner David Curry. USCIRF has now called for a congressional hearing to designate India as a CPC. ‘USCIRF calls on Congress to convene a public hearing on the failure of the State Department to follow our recommendations,’ said USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper and Vice Chair Frederick A. Davie. Meanwhile, Sikh outfits Dal Khalsa (SDW Vol. 1 Issue 13, Story 4) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) held a joint press conference on 6 Jan. They announced a joint protest on 26 Jan, Republic Day at Moga. The protest will be against the tactical approval from political leadership indulging in transnational repression, misusing provisions of draconian laws, proscribing organizations and individuals as terrorists, and keeping Sikh political detainees incarcerated beyond their jail term. Referring to the extrajudicial killing of Akal Takht Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke, the leaders said the protest will question the impunity and unbridled powers given to the security establishment to kill anyone, anytime, at any place.