Singh, Leader of the Sikh Federation of Canada, Supports the Khalistan Separatist Movement and Has Criticized India's Human Rights Record

United Nations human rights experts have urged Canada to accelerate investigations into threats against Sikh activist Moninder Singh, who faces an imminent threat to his life. Five UN special rapporteurs wrote to the Canadian government expressing serious concerns about credible threats against Singh and his family. Singh, leader of the Sikh Federation of Canada, supports the Khalistan separatist movement and has criticized India's human rights record.

The experts noted the threats fit a pattern of transnational repression by Indian authorities against Sikh activists. The nine-page letter, sent to Canada on June 3 and made public two months later, was also copied to India. Singh visited UN headquarters in Geneva earlier this year to demand action against India's alleged targeting of Sikh activists.

Tensions between India and Canada escalated in 2024 after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited credible evidence linking India to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh activist shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. Relations improved under Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Canadian police said no evidence links India to Nijjar's death, though the investigation continues. The UN experts asked Canadian authorities to investigate the threats and hold those responsible accountable. British Columbia police have warned Singh four times about threats to his life, starting in July 2022, with subsequent warnings in August 2023 and March 2025 after his UN appearances.

He received another warning two days before a scheduled UN appearance in February 2026. India has strongly denied involvement in threats or killings of foreign nationals. investigations into threats against the life of a Sikh activist who has been critical of the Indian government.