Geneva, Switzerland — Five United Nations Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts have jointly addressed the Government of Canada regarding ongoing threats and reprisals against Bhai Moninder Singh, National Spokesperson for Sikh Federation (Canada). The communication explicitly places these threats within a broader pattern of India’s transnational repression targeting Sikh dissidents across the diaspora and was shared with the Government of India as well.
The Communication was jointly released by the several officials of the UN Human Rights Council namely Ben Saul (Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism), Gina Romero (Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association). Andrea Bolaños Vargas (Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders), George Katrougalos (Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order) and Nazila Ghanea (Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief).
The officials acknowledged that Bhai Moninder Singh has publicly advanced Sikh human rights and the right to self-determination through the establishment of an independent Khalistan for years. His advocacy has extended across domestic institutions, diplomatic forums, and successive sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
⊕ ALSO READ – Five United Nations Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts’ Letter to Canada on India’s Transnational Repression (PDF)
On February 22, 2026, Canadian security agencies attended his residence and issued a formal duty-to-warn notice. Authorities advised that confidential intelligence disclosed a credible and imminent assassination plot targeting him, his wife, and their two children. The warning came days before his scheduled participation in the Human Rights Council’s 61st Session in Geneva. His engagements included a formal statement in the assembly and meetings with diplomatic missions and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Canadian authorities issued Bhai Moninder Singh another duty-to-warn notice in March 2025, immediately following his return from the Human Rights Council’s 58th Session. His international advocacy with Sikh Federation has also included participation in the first World Congress on Enforced Disappearances, the Human Rights Council’s 60th Session, and the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues. The repeated escalation of threats alongside this work reflects a sustained pattern of repression rather than an isolated criminal threat.
The timing, nature, and severity of the threat raise serious concerns that Indian authorities seek to obstruct Sikh political expression and engagement with United Nations mechanisms. The Rapporteurs’ intervention follows earlier United Nations responses to India’s targeting of Sikh activists abroad based on an complaint filed by the Federation. In communication AL IND 10/2024, five Special Rapporteurs addressed the assassination of Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar and credible threats against other Sikh activists outside India.
The joint communication represents an important recognition of the international scope of India’s campaign against Sikh dissidents and proponents of an independent Khalistan. It also confirms the global impact of Sikh Federation’s advocacy and diplomatic outreach around the world.
While strongly urging Canada to hold perpetrators accountable, the officials requested a formal response from Canadian authorities about their investigation into the threats as well as what preventative measures had been taken. In particular, they called on the government to explain what measures have been taken:
“to ensure that Sikh activists and human rights defenders in Canada are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of threats or acts of violence, intimidation, harassment or reprisal of any sort, including so as to safeguard their freedoms of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly, association, and religion or belief, their right to participate in public affairs, and their minority cultural rights.”
Canadian authorities failed to provide any response to this letter that was originally sent on June 3, 2026.
The communication directly counters statements made by RCMP officials that tried to minimize India’s role in this violence in the wake of Operation Hardball. The acknowledgment of ongoing Indian threats against Sikh activists exposes the contradiction between Canada’s past stated knowledge of India’s state-linked violence and its effort to normalize relations with India today. Trade negotiations and economic investment cannot take priority over accountability for foreign interference, political violence, and transnational repression.
Bhai Moninder Singh, National Spokesperson of Sikh Federation Canada, stated:
“The United Nations has again placed on the international record that India continues to threaten and target Sikh activists around the world. Canada cannot continue to pursue political normalization without a shred of transparency or accountability while India continues to plot assassinations in this country. Every official that minimizes India’s activities is responsible for enabling the ongoing threats against Sikh activists.”
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