Baku: On January 16, Azerbaijan hosted an international conference titled 'Racism and Violence Against Sikhs and Other Minorities in India: The Reality on the Ground.' The event was organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) and focused on the repressive policies pursued by the Indian government against ethnic minorities.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the conference included a commemorative exhibition honoring Sikhs killed by Indian armed forces in 1984, which provided historical events, personal testimonies, and archival materials illustrating the violence's long-term impact on Sikh communities. The event began with a minute of silence in memory of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, assassinated in Canada in 2023, as well as other members of the Khalistan movement who lost their lives.
Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group, emphasized the organization's activities supporting people affected by colonialism and protecting their violated rights. A video showcasing BIG's international activities and achievements was screened, alongside a short film highlighting violations and crimes against Sikhs by the Indian government, and the discrimination faced by other ethnic minorities in India.
The Baku Initiative Group and the International Sikh Federation called for global action against violence and discrimination targeting Sikhs and other minorities, urging governments, civil society organizations, and international institutions to show solidarity with the Sikh community. The conference also discussed strategies to keep the issue on the international agenda, including the investigation of extrajudicial killings by the UN Human Rights Committee and documentation of rights violations by UN Special Rapporteurs.
Participants reviewed the role of international and local NGOs and academic circles, emphasizing how their reports and legal assessments can influence international decision-making mechanisms. The conference was attended by Ramesh Singh Arora, Minister for Human Rights and Minorities of Punjab Province, and other officials, as well as representatives of the Sikh community from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
The discussions focused on the racial discrimination and violence perpetrated by the Indian government against Sikhs, specifically addressing violations of India's obligations under UN treaties. Reports indicate that during the armed raids of 1984, thousands of Sikhs were killed or fled abroad. Sikh activists today face arrest on charges such as "separatism" amid increasing police raids in Punjab. Sikh activists abroad have been targeted by acts of terrorism, with accusations against Indian intelligence services.
The exiled Sikh community, primarily residing in Canada, the UK, the USA, and Australia, continues to demand justice for ongoing political repression in India. They call for recognition of the 1984 massacres as genocide, an independent commission of inquiry, prosecution of the atrocities' organizers, clarification on the fate of those who disappeared, and expanded autonomy for Punjab. They also demand an end to transnational repression and compensation for the 1984 massacre victims.