Baku: Participants of the international conference on 'Countering Indian Transnational Repression: Sikh Resistance and the United Nations' have adopted a final statement on the outcomes of the conference.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the statement expresses serious concern over the growing pattern of transnational repression targeting Sikh activists, human rights defenders, and members of the Sikh diaspora in various countries. The participants highlighted documented examples of repression, including covert surveillance, intimidation, harassment, disinformation campaigns, and acts of violence directed against Sikh individuals and organizations abroad. Such practices, when carried out across borders, are seen as serious violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms and undermine international law principles as well as the sovereignty of states where diaspora communities reside.
Following the killing of Sikh activist, Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar, reports indicate that the pressure, intimidation, and harassment against Sikh activists by the Government of India have continued, particularly in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and several European countries including Italy, Belgium, and Germany. These violations raise significant concerns regarding the safety of Sikh diaspora communities and the respect for international legal norms.
The Baku Initiative Group reiterated its support for the lawful struggle of the Sikh people to protect their fundamental rights, freedoms, and identity. They emphasized the importance of raising issues of transnational repression within international institutions and ensuring that such activities are subjected to appropriate international oversight and investigation.
The conference participants called upon the United Nations, its relevant human rights mechanisms, and the international community to closely monitor and examine cases of transnational repression targeting Sikh activists and diaspora communities. They urged for the promotion of accountability and transparency in cases involving intimidation, threats, harassment, or violence beyond national borders, and for strengthening international protections for diaspora communities, human rights defenders, and political activists.
In particular, the Baku Initiative Group and Sikh Federation International called on the international community, as well as relevant international organizations including the UN and its bodies such as UNHRC, and the UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights defenders and minority issues to take meaningful steps to hold perpetrators of violence to account. Given the severity of the allegations, both organizations urged the UN to launch an independent investigation into India's actions to clarify the chain of command behind these operations, assess violations of international law, and identify appropriate accountability and prevention mechanisms.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement within international forums to raise awareness of these issues and to contribute to ensuring the rights of Sikhs and other communities in India.