BIG report exposes India’s transnational repression of Sikh diaspora

The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) and the International Sikh Federation have released a major report documenting alleged repression and other crimes committed by Indian authorities against the Sikh community, both within India and abroad.

Titled “Beyond Borders: Indian Transnational Repression Against the Sikh Diaspora,” the report catalogs numerous cases of pressure on Sikh activists, diaspora organization leaders, and their families overseas. It warns that such policies create risks for the safety of diaspora communities and hinder their socio-political activities, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“These incidents restrict the ability of Sikh activists abroad to freely express political opinions or participate in international platforms,” the report states, highlighting how an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty weakens civic organization and political engagement.

Special attention is given to the persecution of Sikh activists and political refugees advocating for an independent Khalistan. Certain operations appear to have been carried out by individuals allegedly linked to the Indian government. The report documents killings allegedly orchestrated by India through organized criminal groups, with the highest number of violations reported in Canada. Authorities in Canada reportedly warned several Sikh activists of credible threats from the Indian government. One notable case is the 2023 murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which Canadian officials have linked to individuals with potential ties to Indian state structures.

Similar incidents have been recorded in the United States, including an attempted assassination of human rights defender Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. US Department of Justice indictments allege the plot was coordinated by individuals connected to Indian intelligence agencies and involved intermediaries to carry out the killing abroad.

In the United Kingdom, Sikh activists reportedly face coercion through pressure on family members in India, legal harassment, and surveillance. The report calls for a full investigation into the suspicious death of activist Avtar Singh Khanda.

Indian intelligence operations have also been identified in European Union countries. In Germany, several individuals collecting information for Indian intelligence were prosecuted, demonstrating the spread of transnational repression networks across Europe. German courts convicted those who provided information on Sikh and other political activists to Indian intelligence agencies.

The report further examines the impact of India’s transnational repression on international law, noting violations of fundamental rights including the right to life, personal security, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and the right to a fair trial. These rights are enshrined in multiple international instruments, including the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The report asserts that India’s actions contravene these commitments, raising questions of international legal accountability.

The authors emphasize that India has conducted covert, violent, and repressive operations abroad against Sikh activists critical of the government and supportive of Khalistan independence. Alongside covert political interference, these transnational actions aim to suppress political activity within the Sikh diaspora.

The report warns that India’s growing geopolitical influence, combined with ongoing attacks on political dissidents, poses a serious threat to ethnic minorities and the international order. It calls on the global community to condemn India’s human rights violations and hold perpetrators accountable, noting that failure to act could lead to further violent attacks against ethnic communities.

Highlighting cases in Canada, the US, the UK, and Germany, the report also notes similar incidents in Australia, Belgium, Italy, Pakistan, Portugal, and other countries. It underscores that India’s extraterritorial actions reflect both a growing assertiveness on the global stage and a willingness to undermine international law and the rule of law.

The report also details abuses of visa and consular mechanisms, surveillance, intimidation of critics, and attempts to label Sikh dissidents as “extremists” to facilitate criminal prosecutions through international legal channels.

In conclusion, the report calls for stronger, coordinated international action, including independent investigations, holding perpetrators accountable, and enhancing political will to safeguard human rights. It warns that India’s transnational repression threatens not only the Sikh community but also the principles of international law and inter-state relations.

By Vafa Guliyeva