Sikh activists at international demonstration

About Us

The story behind the campaign

Our Origin Story

For decades, the advocacy of the Sikh diaspora has been a cornerstone of global human rights awareness. However, a systemic pattern of suppression has emerged, targeting those who speak loudest for self-determination and civic justice.

Sikh Activism Silenced was founded by a coalition of researchers, lawyers, and community organisers who observed a disturbing trend: the quiet dismantling of civil liberties under the guise of security protocols. We realised that without a central archive of record, these instances of silencing would remain disconnected and ignored.

Our work began with a simple goal — to document every piece of evidence where legitimate activism was met with illegitimate state-sponsored pressure. Today, we serve as the primary dossier for international observers and legislative bodies.

Campaign founder

"When the mechanisms of law are used to silence the voice of conscience, the law itself becomes a weapon of the state."

— Campaign Lead, 2024
Transnational Repression

What is Transnational Repression?

Transnational repression occurs when states reach across borders to silence dissent from activists, journalists, and others living abroad. This includes surveillance, intimidation, sanctions abuse, and even assassination.

For the Sikh community, this has meant the systematic targeting of those who speak openly about Punjab, human rights, and self-determination — often under the guise of counter-terrorism measures.

2018

The Foundation

Initial reporting protocol established in London with a coalition of researchers and advocates.

2020

Digital Archive

Launch of the secure evidence submission portal and documentation framework.

2022

Legal Shield

Partnership with global human rights law firms to provide pro bono legal support.

2024

Dossier Published

Published the largest investigation into transnational silencing of Sikh activists.

Interview session

Our Mission

We exist to ensure that no act of political silencing goes unrecorded. Through rigorous documentation, legal analysis, and public advocacy, we challenge the misuse of administrative sanctions against Sikh activists and community leaders.

Our mission is threefold: to build an irrefutable evidence base, to amplify suppressed voices through international platforms, and to drive legislative reform that prevents the weaponisation of financial sanctions against legitimate advocacy.

See the Evidence

Our Pillars

The five foundations that guide everything we do.

Document

We build an irrefutable archive of every instance where UK sanctions powers have been used to suppress legitimate Sikh activism and advocacy.

Protect

We provide legal resources, guidance, and a support network for individuals and families impacted by sanctions designations and financial exclusion.

Amplify

We take suppressed narratives to the global stage — through parliamentary engagement, international bodies, media campaigns, and community mobilisation.

Unite

We bring together Sikh organisations, communities and allies across borders to build a unified response to transnational repression.

Accountable

We hold governments to the values they claim to uphold — through legal challenges, direct engagement with MPs and international advocacy.

Why This Matters

This is not just about one family. This is about what happens when a government uses sanctions powers — designed to combat terrorism — against its own citizens for peaceful political activism. If this precedent stands, every activist, journalist, and whistleblower in Britain is at risk.
1st

Known Use Against Citizens

The first known case of UK sanctions powers being used against British citizens for lawful political expression.

0

Criminal Charges

No arrests. No charges. No trial. No due process. Sanctions imposed without any criminal proceedings whatsoever.

The Precedent

If unchallenged, this creates an unlimited tool for silencing dissent — any community, any cause, any voice.

Today it is Sikh activists. Tomorrow it could be anyone who dares to speak truth to power.

You can sanction a person, but you can’t sanction the truth.
Stand with us.