UN Experts Urge Canada to Protect Sikh Activist Moninder Singh

Five United Nations rights experts have urged the Canadian government to provide protection for Moninder Singh, a Sikh activist who advocates for an independent state called Khalistan. In a letter dated June 3 and released in August 2026, the experts highlighted credible threats to Singh's life and noted that Canadian authorities have issued four duty to warn notices to him since 2022.

The experts characterized these threats as part of a broader pattern of transnational repression by Indian authorities against Sikh activists. This assessment follows Singh's visit to the UN in Geneva, where he appealed for international action against India's alleged targeting of the community. A copy of the UN's correspondence was also sent to the Indian government, which denies the charges.

The situation develops against a backdrop of diplomatic volatility between Canada and India, specifically following the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver. While tensions rose after that assassination, relations have more recently improved under Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has focused on securing trade deals with India.