Statement from SALDEF on Canada’s Stand Against Transnational Repression and the Need for U.S. Action
SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) stands in solidarity with Canada as it continues to prioritize the protection of its citizens in the face of foreign repression. The recent developments highlighting Canada’s commitment to protecting its citizens’ rights, even in the face of foreign threats, underscore the urgent need for action here in the United States.
We commend Canada for taking a firm stand against transnational repression, recognizing the serious threat it poses not only to the targeted communities but to democratic values as a whole. This approach should serve as a model for how governments around the world can respond to the ongoing and increasingly aggressive attempts by foreign regimes to silence dissenting voices abroad, including Sikh activists.
In the United States, Sikh Americans and other diaspora communities continue to face the threat of transnational repression. Whether it be surveillance, intimidation, or targeted violence, foreign governments have sought to stifle free speech and political dissent within our borders. This is unacceptable in a country that stands for freedom and human rights.
SALDEF proudly supports Congressman Adam Schiff’s Transnational Repression Reporting Act, a crucial step in addressing these threats here at home. The bill would ensure greater accountability by requiring the U.S. Attorney General to report on cases of transnational repression and outline the actions taken by our government to protect American citizens. It is essential that the U.S. government continues to make public statements, as it did last year, condemning transnational repression and holding accountable those who seek to undermine the civil liberties of Americans.
We call on the U.S. government to remain steadfast in its commitment to protecting all Americans from foreign repression, especially as the threats against diaspora communities like Sikhs persist. The right to free speech and peaceful dissent must be protected at all costs. This includes standing against foreign governments that use intimidation, violence, and censorship to silence voices on U.S. soil.
As we continue to engage with our Congressional allies and federal partners, we urge the swift passage of the Transnational Repression Reporting Act to ensure that the U.S. government is doing everything in its power to protect its citizens from foreign repression.
SALDEF remains committed to defending the constitutional rights of the Sikh American community and all diaspora communities affected by these insidious acts. We urge the American government to stand firm, just as Canada has, in safeguarding the freedoms that define our democracy.