At the 17th Annual United Nations Forum on Minority Issues, ICAAD brought a critical issue to the forefront: the alarming rise of transnational repression. Representing ICAAD and the Sikh community, Co-Founder Jaspreet K. Singh delivered a powerful oral statement to urge the international community to act decisively to protect minority communities.
Jaspreet, who was also a Minority Fellow with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, highlighted how transnational repression—when states reach beyond their borders to surveil, threaten, and even harm individuals—has created an atmosphere of fear for minority groups around the world.
The Threat of Transnational Repression
“Transnational repression occurs when states reach beyond their borders to surveil, threaten, and even assassinate those who exercise their fundamental freedoms,” Jaspreet stated. He described how governments deploy agents to silence journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society leaders, targeting minorities who have sought refuge in other states. This practice, he emphasized, violates international law and undermines the very purpose of the United Nations, which is to promote and protect human rights universally.
The oral statement specifically pointed to the Sikh community’s experience as a striking example. Members of the Sikh diaspora, including activists and community leaders, have been subjected to threats and violence by Indian agents in countries like the United States and Canada, simply for exercising their freedom of expression. There have been several cases of transnational repression targeting Sikh activists, including a thwarted assassination plot in the United States which is now being prosecuted in Federal Court, and the tragic murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which was publicly linked to the Indian government by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Such acts are not isolated; they represent a pattern of repression that spans across borders, threatening the lives and freedoms of minority communities.
A Call to Action
The statement included a clear and concise call to action, urging states to take three critical steps to address this growing threat:
- Recognize and Condemn Transnational Repression: Acknowledging the problem is the first step toward addressing it. States must formally recognize transnational repression as a specific threat to human rights and minority communities.
- Convene Like-Minded States for Collective Action: States must work together to combat transnational repression, sharing intelligence, implementing legal safeguards, and holding perpetrators accountable.
- Support the Establishment of a Special Rapporteur: A dedicated Special Rapporteur on transnational repression would ensure sustained focus on this issue within the United Nations, allowing for better monitoring, investigation, and recommendations.
Transnational repression creates a pervasive atmosphere of fear among minority communities, disrupting their ability to participate fully in public life and exercise their freedoms. ICAAD called on states to act swiftly, not just to protect human rights but to reaffirm the principles of justice and equality that underpin international law.
Investing in Minority Communities: A Path to Strength
ICAAD further urged governments to view their minority communities not as scapegoats or threats but as valuable contributors to national strength and resilience. “Your minorities will make you stronger if you invest in them and protect them,” Jaspreet stated, emphasizing that inclusion and protection of minority communities are not only moral imperatives but also strategies for building stronger, more cohesive societies.
Through its participation at the UN Forum on Minority Issues, ICAAD continues to champion the rights of marginalized communities and to advocate for systemic changes that uphold human rights worldwide. By addressing transnational repression, ICAAD is working to ensure that minority voices are not silenced by fear and are empowered to voice their grievances and aspirations. Justice for those most marginalized leads to better outcomes for everyone.
The fight against transnational repression is not just a challenge for the communities targeted—it is a test of the international community’s commitment to human rights. ICAAD’s message at the forum was clear: States must act now to protect minorities, condemn repression, and invest in the diversity that makes societies stronger.
