MP LETTER: TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION - SAFETY AND SECURITY OF SIKHS IN THE UK

Dear (insert MP name)

TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION - SAFETY AND SECURITY OF SIKHS IN THE UK

I am deeply concerned for the safety and security of Sikhs in the UK from transnational repression by the Indian government. The scale of the threat that has emerged from Canada and the US in the last 18 months is a cause for serious concern. Senior Indian government officials and intelligence officers have now been directly implicated in targeting Sikhs through killings, threats, coercion and extortion.

The UK as a Five Eyes nation and with a sizeable and active Sikh community will have direct access to intelligence and has had briefings at Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary level to assess the threat of transnational repression from the Indian government to Sikhs in the UK.

We have had the mysterious sudden death of Avtar Singh Khanda on 15 June 2023 in a Birmingham hospital three days before the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader in the parking lot of the Gurdwara where he was President. There are many unanswered questions surrounding Avtar’s death, including the role of the coroner in failing to carry out an autopsy, blocking a private autopsy and a totally inadequate investigation by the West Midlands Police.

The police failed to look into death threats Avtar had been receiving from Indian police, interview anyone who knew him or trace his movements or look into those he had contact with when he suddenly died. Michael Polak, the barrister representing Avtar Singh Khanda’s family is calling for an inquest and a public inquiry into Avtar’s death. Can you please support the call for an inquest and public inquiry into Avtar’s death by writing to the Home Secretary and send me a copy of your letter and any response.

Sikhs in the UK have had threat to life warnings and there is evidence that India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) is targeting peaceful Sikh protesters in the UK with death threats and arrest when travelling to India. A briefing was arranged for MPs in Parliament on 14 October 2024 on transnational repression and political interference by the Indian government. This was video recorded and a copy has been sent to you.

As a constituent can you write to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary as India must respect the rule of law and the sovereignty of the UK. Can you find out what actions the UK government, intelligence agencies and the police are taking to:

a) counter the transnational repression and political interference by the Indian government b) safeguard and publicly reassure Sikhs in the UK on their safety and security

Please send me a copy of your letters and any responses.

Yours sincerely,

Name and address:

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