In its annual report from November 2023, the FBI recorded 11,634 hate crime incidents involving 13,337 offenses in the US consisting of single-bias motivation against race, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, gender-identity, disability and gender. Of these, 59.1% were victims of single-bias incidents involving race, ethnicity, ancestry.

Unfortunately, hate crimes have seen a statistical increase in recent years and bias-motivated crimes have risen in numbers finding irony in an era when human rights are well-spoken for.

Recent events regrettably append to the already long list of cases involving hate directed to minorities world over. Earlier this month, a Texas man was charged for making threats against employees of a Sikh organization according to the U.S. Justice Department Official Press Release. In India, our legal team successfully received a judgement by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, denying bail to a man charged with inciting violence and hatred against Sikhs through a provocative video.

UNITED SIKHS has been instrumental in advocating for the rights of Sikhs and the disadvantaged minorities, employing a multifaceted approach that includes legal advocacy, public education, and international collaboration. Through our International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA), we ensure equality, fairness and human dignity as rooted in the Sikh Tradition.

Hate crime victims find unyielding support from UNITED SIKHS. For one, Balwinder Singh in August 2022 who underwent multiple surgeries after sustaining jaw and facial injuries from his attacker, was assisted by the organization through our Executive Director Gurpreet Singh who called on the leaders of the City of New York for answers and to find solutions for victims and their families. UNITED SIKHS Legal Team also extended pro bono legal services to Sardar Nirmal Singh after the 70 year old man was punched in the face by a stranger which left him profusely bleeding. The UNITED SIKHS legal team initiated communications with the United States Department of Justice and also filed a complaint with the New York State Hate Crimes Task Force.

Our initiatives aim to (1) Provide legal support and representation to victims of hate crimes and discrimination, (2) Conduct awareness campaigns to educate the public on Sikh beliefs and the importance of diversity and tolerance, and (3) Collaborate with international bodies and other human rights organizations to push for policy changes that ensure the protection of religious freedoms and minority rights. To report hate and bias crimes, please reach out to contact@UNITEDSIKHS.org  or  access our Crime Incident Form for assistance.

In observance of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech,we share the UNITED NATIONS’ call to empower communities in combating hate speech. We believe that a united community forms an ally of influential voices to raise awareness, and organize significant force to lead meaningful reforms in our communities that ripples hope of a global impact.

Sincerely,
UNITED SIKHS International Civil & Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA) Team