RE: United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) calls on India to stop targeting Sikh activists

੧੦ ਮਾਘ, ਨਾਨਕਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੫੫੬ | January 23, 2025 CE

Honourable Minister Mélanie Joly
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
melanie.joly@international.gc.ca

Dear Honourable Minister Joly:

RE: United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) calls on India to stop targeting Sikh activists

I am writing to you today to call on the Government of Canada and Canada's Permanent Mission to the United Nations to defend the UNHRC from India's public attacks, and publicly call on Indian officials to cooperate with the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteurs on November 20, 2024.

In response to a formal complaint filed by the Sikh Federation, several Special Rapporteurs appointed by the UNHRC have publicly called on India to cooperate with Canadian investigations into the murder of Bhai Hardeep Singh and other violent crimes in Canada, while also taking additional steps to address the targeting of Sikh activists. The 16-page document provides a detailed analysis of India's numerous violations of international law and human rights covenants as a result of its attacks on exiled Sikh activists advocating for an independent Khalistan, as well as the systematic use of Indian legislation to discredit political activists as designated "terrorists" without credible evidence.

The Special Rapporteurs sent the letter to the Government of India in November 2024, outlining that India's actions violate numerous international laws, including Article 6, 9(1), 14,15, 17-19, and 27 of the International international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ("ICCPR").The rapporteurs expressed grave concern at reports of "continuing, systematic attacks by Indian authorities on Sikh activists in Canada, the United States, and other countries, including private and public harassment and intimidation, threats of violence and death, and the planning of physical attacks."

In response to the Special Rapporteurs' letter, Indian officials accused the UN mandate holders of a "preconceived hostility against India, and somehow "justifying terrorism and supporting a separatist agenda" by calling on India to respect basic human rights principles.

The Government of Canada must take notice of india's absurd allegations and work with its partners to defend the UNHRC, while furthering efforts to ensure all perpetrators are held accountable, including senior Indian officials like Amit Shah. The targeting of Sikh activists in Canada and other countries, as noted by the rapporteurs, is not a matter of individualized crimes committed by private citizens. Instead, the fact that private actors were instructed, directed, and controlled by Indian officials demonstrates state responsibility under international law in a series of premeditated attacks on the international order itself.

India's arrogant response to the Human Rights Council's concerns illustrates an utter disregard for international law and basic human rights principles. Sikhs across the country are calling on the Government of Canada and Canada's Permanent Mission to the United Nations to defend the UNHRC from India's public attacks, and publicly call on Indian officials to cooperate with the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteurs.

We look forward to your timely attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Moninder Singh
National Spokesperson
Sikh Federation (Canada)

Enclosed:
UN Communication: AL IND 11/2024
Indian Response: GEN/PMI/353/5/2025

cc:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Bob Rae, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations
Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Official Opposition
Honourable Jagmeet Singh, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada
Honourable Yves-François Blanchet, Leader of the Bloc Québécois