India exporting repression beyond its borders, Sikhs tell State Department

A delegation from the Sikh Federation International (SFI) has held a series of high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., and with representatives from across the Americas, raising concerns over what it described as human rights violations and transnational repression targeting Sikhs.

The delegation met with US government bodies, human rights organisations and international institutions, including officials from the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom and Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, as well as the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, Caliber.Az reports, citing Sikh Siyasat News.

SFI also engaged with the Organisation of American States (OAS), meeting representatives of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), special rapporteurs and officials from several OAS member states. During the meetings, the delegation submitted statements and written documents concerning the treatment of Sikhs.

Transnational repression: One of the main issues raised was what SFI described as India's ongoing transnational repression of Sikh activists in the Americas. The organisation said repression by Indian authorities extends beyond the country's borders, with Sikhs in North America allegedly facing threats aimed at discouraging advocacy for an independent Khalistan.

Human rights violations in Punjab: The delegation also presented what it described as evidence of human rights violations in Punjab, pointing to alleged arbitrary detentions, torture, extrajudicial violence, surveillance and intimidation.

Global spread of Hindutva: SFI further warned international officials about what it called the growing global spread of Hindutva ideology and associated networks. The organisation argued that India's actions were contributing to an increasingly hostile and unstable international environment.

SFI said its latest engagements are part of its continued international advocacy on issues concerning Sikh rights, sovereignty and self-determination. It added that it would continue working with international institutions and organisations to bring the Sikh perspective and its demands for self-determination to the global stage.