Baku Initiative Group prepares agency to address colonialism issues

The conference held today, along with its accompanying exhibition, historical records, and eyewitness testimonies, is intended to vividly illustrate the mass killings, human rights violations, and various forms of mistreatment that Sikhs have endured for many years, according to Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG).

He delivered the remarks during an international conference in Baku titled “Racism and Violence Against Sikhs and Other National Minorities in India: The Realities on the Ground”, domestic media reports.

Abbasov underscored that the purpose of the event is to address a painful issue that frequently fails to receive adequate public or international attention — the continuing violence targeting Sikhs in India.

He stressed that the gathering is more than an academic forum; it serves as a venue for open dialogue, reflection on the current situation, and calls for accountability. The discussions at the conference focus on the historical background of discrimination against Sikhs and their long-standing pursuit of justice.

He further stated that one of BIG’s primary current initiatives is the establishment of an agency dedicated to matters related to the eradication of colonialism.

“Over the past two years, we have organised more than 35 joint conferences across the world, bringing together political leaders, academics, legal experts, activists from independence movements, civil society representatives, and UN special rapporteurs. We have secured strong cooperation with more than 20 countries and overseas territories, developed partnerships with 25 international organisations and institutions, produced over 30 reports, published four books, and submitted several alternative policy reports to the United Nations,” Abbasov added.

By Tamilla Hasanova