The Canadian government has communicated with the United Nations expressing ongoing apprehension regarding the safety of Sikh activist Moninder Singh based in British Columbia. In efforts to thwart credible threats from foreign entities against individuals on Canadian soil, Canada is actively taking measures. This assurance follows a request and call for action from five UN special rapporteurs in June, emphasizing the necessity to prevent an immediate threat to Singh and his family.
In response to the UN’s queries, Canada is urged to expedite investigations into the allegations, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure the safety of all Sikhs in the country. The government’s letter to the UN emphasizes its commitment to addressing threats against Moninder Singh and his family, as well as the unfortunate loss of his colleague, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada affirms its dedication to detecting, disrupting, and deterring transnational repression both online and offline, while enhancing protection and support for individuals targeted in Canada.
Part of the proactive measures undertaken includes a public statement by the RCMP in 2024, cautioning about a potential threat posed by the government of India. Recent statements by the RCMP have sparked debates, with some questioning the allegations made against India in the 2024 warning. Notably, India’s government has consistently denied involvement in acts of violence, including the assassination of Nijjar in Surrey, B.C., in 2023. Canada’s correspondence with the UN references the 2024 RCMP statement and a 2025 report by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service identifying several countries, including India, as main perpetrators of foreign interference against Canada.
Moninder Singh has expressed appreciation for Canada’s response to the UN, highlighting it as a positive step in acknowledging state-sponsored threats against Sikh activists. The federal government reiterated its commitment to identifying and addressing threats posed by foreign states, leveraging the full authority of the CSIS Act to respond promptly when informed of potential threats. The RCMP, in collaboration with law enforcement partners, has identified credible threats to life, issuing ‘duty to warn’ notifications to individuals within the South Asian community and the pro-Khalistan movement.
Despite receiving ‘duty to warn’ letters, Singh has voiced criticism of the system, emphasizing the need for preventative measures against foreign interference and violence on Canadian soil. While specific details of the response to threats against Singh were not disclosed, Canada affirmed its collaboration with domestic and international security and intelligence partners to safeguard the Sikh community from external threats.
