Schiff Introduces the Transnational Repression Reporting Act to Track Cases of Foreign Repression in the U.S.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 19, 2024

Contact: Amrita Kular, SALDEF Director of Communications

(202) 393-2700 | media@saldef.org

Schiff Introduces the Transnational Repression Reporting Act to Track Cases of Foreign Repression in the U.S.

Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024 which would require the Attorney General, in coordination with other relevant federal agencies, to submit a report of cases of transnational repression against U.S. citizens or people in the United States. Schiff’s bill comes after the 2023 attempted assassination against prominent Sikh activist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

“With transnational repression on the rise, the American people deserve to know if foreign governments are working to intimidate, harass, harm or kill individuals within the United States whom they view as hostile to their regimes,” said Rep. Schiff. “My bill will require a comprehensive report on cases of foreign governments targeting individuals here at home and American citizens abroad. I will continue to work with my colleagues to safeguard fundamental rights and freedoms, both domestically and around the world.”

Transnational repression violates the fundamental rights to free speech and privacy granted to all individuals in the United States – including foreign citizens, U.S. residents, and naturalized and U.S.-born citizens. According to the FBI, the most common targets of transnational repression are political and human rights activists, dissidents, journalists, political opponents, and members of religious or ethnic minority groups. Methods of transnational repression may include physical and digital stalking, harassment, computer hacking, criminal threats, assaults, attempted kidnappings, coerced repatriation, and detaining family members in the home country.

“The Transnational Repression Reporting Act is a major step forward in protecting the freedom of speech and civil rights of Americans,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF). “When foreign governments infringe upon American sovereignty, there must be full transparency around the violation for the safety of our communities. Through this bill, Congress sends a strong message to both allies and adversaries that violating the constitutional rights of Americans will not be tolerated. SALDEF and the Sikh American community thank Congressman Schiff for his leadership in protecting the rights of all Americans.”

“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Schiff for proposing this legislation and taking the continuing threat of all transnational repression, including India’s recent targeting of Sikhs, seriously. It is essential for our national security that the United States is not seen abiding such egregious violations of democratic values or international norms–including India’s harassing, harming, and plotting to kill U.S.-based Sikhs–without consequence. We hope that others in congress will join Congressman Schiff to support this significant step forward,” said Harman Singh, Executive Director of the Sikh Coalition.

“India must be made accountable for transnational repression on Sikhs and this bill helps combat the oppression and intimidation Sikhs are facing in America,” said Swaranjit Singh Khalsa, City Council Member from Norwich, Connecticut and one of the Directors of Sikh Assembly of America.

The Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024 is cosponsored by Representatives Daniel S. Goldman (D-N.Y), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.).

Schiff’s bill is also supported by Human Rights Watch, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Sikh Coalition, Sikh Assembly of America, American Sikh Caucus Committee, International Defenders Council, Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans, Middle East Democracy Center, Hong Kong Democracy Council, Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, and Falun Dafa Association.

Schiff has been a consistent leader in protecting Americans from transnational repression. He introduced the Stop Transnational Repression Act which would bolster the prosecution and oversight of transnational repression in 2022 and reintroduced the bill in December of 2023.

Read the full text of the bill HERE.

SALDEF’s Advocacy Makes Major Strides on Capitol Hill

We are thrilled to share some exciting progress in our fight against transnational repression, a critical issue impacting Sikh Americans. Through ongoing engagement with Congressional and federal government allies, SALDEF has secured significant momentum on Capitol Hill.

Positive Developments:

  • Bipartisan Support: Our efforts to engage lawmakers continue to yield positive results. We’re excited to announce that Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL) and Kevin Mullin (CA) have joined the ranks of co-sponsors for the Transnational Repression Policy Act. This growing bipartisan support demonstrates the increasing recognition of this crucial issue and support for the Sikh American community, and is a direct result of SALDEF’s lobbying.

Take Action: Urge President Biden and his administration to prioritize addressing transnational repression and its impact on Sikh Americans and all American communities. By advocating for policies and legislation that counter transnational repression, we can ensure that Sikh Americans can live and thrive in America without fear, free from the shadows of foreign intimidation.

With reports of Sikh Americans facing specific instances of transnational repression, including threats, harassment, and even attempted violence, we must work to expose these threats, advocate for justice, and ensure the safety and security of the Sikh American community.  Together, we can ensure that the Administration understands the immediate concerns of the Sikh community and also the broader implications for American democracy.

SALDEF Drives Bill Momentum with Four New Congressional Co-Sponsors to the Transnational Repression Policy Act

 

In the wake of recent transnational repression incidents targeting a Sikh American citizen in New York City, SALDEF has been heavily engaging with our Congressional and federal government allies to educate our nation’s leaders.

Amidst rising concerns about transnational repression, SALDEF has secured four new co-sponsors for the Transnational Repression Policy Act this January: Representative Goldman (NY-10), Representative Krishnamoorthi (IL-8), Representative Jayapal (WA-7), Representative Lee (CA-12). This critical bill, championed by SALDEF, offers targeted resources, protections, and government accountability to safeguard vulnerable communities.

By presenting compelling evidence and nuanced analyses of these transnational repression incidents, SALDEF is ensuring that Congress understands the immediate concerns of the Sikh community and also the broader implications for American democracy.

Here are some ways you can join the fight:

  • Contact the Biden Administration: Urge them to prioritize addressing transnational repression and its impact on Sikh Americans and all American communities.
  • Follow and share SALDEF’s social media content: Stay informed and amplify SALDEF’s message to raise awareness.
  • Donate to SALDEF: Your support fuels our critical work in protecting the rights and safety of Sikh Americans.

Sikh Americans have faced specific instances of transnational repression, including threats, harassment, and even attempted violence.  SALDEF works to expose these threats, advocate for justice, and ensure the safety and security of the Sikh American community. By advocating for policies and legislation that counter transnational repression, SALDEF seeks to create a safe environment for Sikh Americans to live and thrive.

The fight against transnational repression is ongoing, but SALDEF’s unwavering commitment is making a difference. By shining a light on this injustice and urging swift action, SALDEF is ensuring that Sikh Americans can live and thrive in America without fear, free from the shadows of foreign intimidation.

SALDEF Submits Letter to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on Transnational Repression

Along with other leading civil rights organizations, SALDEF submitted a statement urging the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to engage the Biden Administration on meaningfully confronting the Indian Government on the issue of transnational repression.

Letter to Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Transnational Repression HearingDownload

SikhLEAD Interns Host Langar on the Hill to Promote Sikh Values

Nearly 150 people, including members of Congress, attended the annual Langar hosted by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)’s SikhLEAD Internship class and the office of Rep. Chuck Schumer, on Capitol Hill on July 26.

Langar is a 500-year old Sikh tradition that aims to eradicate segregation and classicism and promote food justice. Among the members of Congress who attended the event included Representative Judy Chu (CA-28) and Representative Shri Thanedar (MI-13).

Speaking on the occasion, SALDEF Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill explained the importance of Langar in the context of the Sikh American experience.

“Sikh Americans have a long history of innovative community engagement and leadership, from the Honorable Dalip Singh Saund who was one of our great pioneers in Congress, to the advocates at SALDEF. Having the occasion to share a meal as equals is a strong reminder about the values of equality and universal friendship.”

While Sikh Americans have a 125-year history in the United States, there are still a lot of misperceptions about the community. Langar on the Hill is a significant opportunity for us to introduce our American history and Sikh values, including equality for all. Moreover, it is a unique opportunity for this rising generation to express to our nation’s leaders how we intend to deepen our civic participation.

We’d like to take the time to thank the volunteers and all our supporters across the nation who donated to this event and contributed to its success.

(Washington, DC) — The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) is deeply disappointed with President Biden’s decision to celebrate Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a state visit, and with Congressional leaders’ accompanying decision to honor PM Modi with an address to a joint session of Congress.

 

“We, alongside advocates for other Indian diasporic minorities undergoing intensely antidemocratic censorship, discrimination, and extrajudicial violence, are disheartened to see PM Modi receive the highest honors our federal government can bestow on a head of state,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of SALDEF. “As extensively documented by civil society, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom, and increasingly the State Department, the Modi regime is an appropriate designee of Country of Particular Concern status under the International Religious Freedom Act due to its widespread and escalating human rights violations. In this context, we feel deep disappointment that the administration and members of Congress have elected to turn a blind eye and to uncritically celebrate an autocratic regime in the name of geopolitics.”

 

From banning BBC documentaries about Modi’s career to raiding Western media offices in India to forcing social media platforms to comply with censorship demands, the Indian state demonstrates extraordinary commitment to pursuing its autocratic agenda globally.

 

“We are deeply appreciative of those in Congress who are opposing these decisions to overlook and minimize the struggle of communities like ours, and look forward to supporting their actions to demonstrate solidarity,” continued Gill.

(Washington, D.C.) – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund is extremely disappointed in the House’s passage of H.R. 2 the “Secure the Border Act.”

 

At a time when we see an increase in people seeking asylum and refugee status, including Sikhs from India, this bill shuts down legal pathways for humane entry. The bill eliminates protections for children and would allow us to return to horrible practices of family detention that shocked the country during the Trump Administration. Finally, the bill would break down relationships between nonprofits serving migrants as part of their sewa, including gurdwaras that serve migrants from Punjab.

(Washington, DC) – SALDEF is deeply concerned about the ongoing situation in Punjab, including reports about the suspension of internet services and restrictions on the social media accounts of non-government-aligned reporters, organizations, and members of the public in India and throughout the world.

The Sikh American community stands with the global sangat expressing their concerns about limitations on the rights of reporters, human rights, and free expression in India. Free expression is a cornerstone of an engaged and active democracy.

As demonstrated in SALDEF’s report on global censorship of our community during the 2020-21 Punjab Farmers’ Protest, “When #Sikh Was Banned Worldwide,” the Indian government has a record of using similar tactics to limit the voice of the Sikh community in India and around the globe.

SALDEF is connecting with the Biden Administration to share concerns. We encourage you to contact your public officials and the media to raise awareness and encourage them to speak out on the ongoing situation.  There are many ways you can help join the fight:

Background Information on the History of Censorship:

As outlined in our Censorship Report and by numerous human rights organizations, including ENSAAF and Amnesty International, the Indian government has a history of using repressive tactics to stifle protest and oppose dissent. These include:

  • Shutting down internet access in regions of the country
  • Restricting access to social media accounts and ordering take-down notices to tech companies, including the accounts of journalists, activists, and elected officials from around the world
  • Arrests and detention of activists, lawyers, and human rights organizers
  • Limiting the freedom of assembly and the freedom of the press

For many Sikhs in the diaspora, the current tactics of the Indian and state governments echo the experiences of minority communities across India. They remind people of traumas they and their families experienced in Punjab during the 1970s through the 1990s. These concerns have been heightened due to the actions taken during and in response to the Farmer’s Protests of 2020-2021.