WASHINGTON, D.C. — A delegation from the Sikh Federation International (SFI) recently concluded a series of high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., and with representatives from across the Americas, bringing urgent Sikh human rights issues directly to the forefront of international policy discourse.

The SFI delegation engaged directly with prominent governmental bodies, human rights organizations, and international institutions. Key meetings were held with officials from the U.S. State Department—specifically the Office of International Religious Freedom and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor—as well as the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

A central component of this international advocacy footprint was SFI’s engagement at the Organization of American States (OAS). The delegation met with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Special Rapporteurs, and representatives of various OAS member states, delivering formal statements and written submissions regarding the treatment of Sikhs.

During these decisive discussions, the SFI brought several pressing items to the international agenda:
Transnational Repression: The delegation explicitly highlighted India’s ongoing transnational repression against Sikh activists in the Americas. SFI representatives delivered a clear message that India’s repression does not stop at is borders, noting that threats against Sikhs in North America continue in an attempt to quell advocacy for an independent Khalistan.

Human Rights Violations in Punjab: The Sikh Federation International documented the interconnected nature of the repression facing the Sikh community, drawing attention to increasing state-led crackdowns in Punjab, which include arbitrary detentions, torture, extrajudicial violence, surveillance, and intimidation.

The Global Spread of Hindutva: The delegation warned international officials about the growing and dangerous threat of Hindutva ideology and its proxy networks operating around the world, arguing that India’s belligerent actions are contributing to an increasingly hostile and unstable environment globally.

Through its sustained international activism, the Sikh Federation International is continuing to establish itself as a leading global voice representing Sikh interests, sovereignty, and the right to self-determination. The organization remains committed to ensuring that the Sikh perspective and the broader movement for self-determination are heard by international institutions and freedom-loving movements worldwide.