Baku (Turkey News): An international conference on government policies against racial minorities in India has begun in Baku, organized by the Bau Initiative Group. The program, titled “Racism and Violence Against Sikhs and Other Minorities in India: Ground Realities,” is being held in Azerbaijan for the first time.
The conference features high-level participants, including Pakistan’s Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minorities, Ramesh Singh Arora, officials from various countries, prominent Sikh community representatives from Canada, the UK, and the US, heads of research institutions, human rights experts, and individuals affected by discriminatory policies in India.
Discussions will focus on systematic racism, pressure, and violence against Sikhs and other minorities in India, including alleged violations of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the Convention Against Torture. The conference will also highlight the role of international organizations in investigating unlawful killings and documenting human rights abuses, as done by UN special rapporteurs.
The event began with an exhibition showing images of pressure and killings against the Sikh community. Organizers stated that between 1980 and 1990, thousands of Sikhs in Punjab were killed, abducted, or punished under false charges. Currently, activists working for Sikh rights are being arrested on accusations of being “separatists” or “spies,” and police raids in Punjab have intensified. Attacks on Sikh activists have also been reported abroad, with authorities in Canada and the US attributing some incidents to Indian intelligence services.
Participants emphasized the crucial role of local and international NGOs, as well as academic institutions, in influencing global policy and decisions regarding human rights violations in India by preparing reports, legal opinions, and recommendations.
