London, 16/10/2024 – In a recent development, evidence has emerged of India’s transnational repression and violence against Sikh activists, leading to calls for the British government and the international community to recognize India as a rogue state and impose sanctions against officials responsible for these actions.
Reports from Canada, the UK, and other nations have exposed a disturbing pattern of state-sponsored harassment, threats, and killings of Sikh activists, particularly those advocating for Khalistan, an independent Punjabi state. Canada’s recent accusations against India for orchestrating the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar shed light on India’s systematic efforts to silence dissent. The evidence also points to the involvement of India’s spy agency, RAW, and top government officials.
This campaign of repression is not limited to Canada alone. In the UK, Sikh activists have also been targeted. The suspicious death of Avtar Singh Khanda, a Khalistani advocate, followed months of harassment and threats by Indian police. Despite official reports attributing his death to leukemia, his family believes it was part of a broader intimidation effort, which included threats to his relatives in Punjab. The death of Khanda was preceded by direct harassment from Indian officials, adding to a series of suspicious incidents linked to Indian operatives.
Another example of India’s abuse of power is the case of Bhai Paramjit Singh Pamma, a UK refugee who narrowly escaped extradition after India sought his arrest while he was in Portugal in 2016. Despite British police confirming that Pamma was a victim of the Indian state and granting him indefinite leave to remain, the Indian government manipulated the Interpol system to have him arrested in Portugal. Pamma’s human rights were violated, highlighting the fact that India’s state-sponsored terrorism goes beyond its borders.
India’s misuse of extradition mechanisms and its repeated instances of extrajudicial killings, intimidation, and harassment constitute transnational repression, a grave violation of human rights and international norms. The Modi government’s relentless pursuit of Sikh dissidents, through both covert and overt means, has been deemed as state terrorism.
In light of these egregious actions, we urge the British government, the EU, the UN, and democratic nations to take the following actions:
1. Sanction Indian officials responsible for these actions.
2. Launch an international investigation into India’s transnational repression.
3. Increase protection for Sikh activists worldwide.
4. Suspend security cooperation with India until these violations are addressed.
It is crucial for the international community to hold India accountable for its actions. Ignoring these abuses not only undermines global justice but also threatens the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
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Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.