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Written Question
Sikhs: Safety
Wednesday 28th February 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment the Government has made of potential impact of the security situation for the Sikh community in North America on the safety of the Sikh community in the UK.

Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)

The UK Government holds the British Sikh community in the highest esteem. British Sikhs are an important and vibrant part of our society and make an enormous contribution to British life. We are firmly committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief and being a strong voice internationally in defence of this fundamental right.

We are in close touch with our US and Canadian partners about the allegations they have raised. It is vital that we allow independent investigations to run their course. It would be inappropriate to comment on, or pre-determine, their conclusions at this time.

The Government continually assesses potential threats to individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety. Wherever we identify such threats, we will use all measures, including through our world leading police and intelligence services, to mitigate risk to individuals.


Written Question
British Nationals Abroad: Sikhs
Wednesday 21st February 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reports of alleged assassinations of Sikh activists in the US and Canada on British Sikhs living abroad.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

British Sikhs are an important part of our society and continue to make a hugely valuable contribution to British life. We are committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief for all. Where required, we offer consular support and assistance to British nationals worldwide. Any individual in need of consular assistance can contact the nearest British High Commission or Consulate. Our consular contact numbers are available 24/7. We constantly review our travel advice for each country or territory to ensure it includes up-to-date information, including advice for British nationals on safety and security, and update travel advice as quickly as possible if we are aware of an incident that might significantly affect British people travelling or living in the area.


Written Question
EU Institutions: Religious Freedom
Tuesday 13th February 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had recent discussions with his counterparts in EU member states on the potential impact of the Court of Justice of the European Union's ruling on religious symbols on (a) Sikhs, (b) Muslims, (c) Jews and (d) Christians.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

We note the recent Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) ruling on the prohibition of visible religious symbols in government offices.

This case is a matter for the EU and its Member States. We will continue, as part of our wider work on freedom of religion or belief, to monitor the situation of religious or belief communities, including where applicable, as this relates to British citizens working in the EU.

The UK Government is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all, and promoting mutual respect, here in the UK and internationally. Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is a longstanding human rights priority for the UK.


Written Question
Sikhs: Safety
Friday 26th January 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the potential risks to British Sikh activists of international incidents involving members of the Sikh community.

Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)

The UK is proud of its diverse communities, and British Sikhs contribute immensely to the strength of our society.

We continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK seriously.


Written Question
British Nationals Abroad: Politics and Government
Friday 26th January 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to help ensure the safety of British citizens involved in international political movements.

Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)

The UK is proud of its diverse communities, and British Sikhs contribute immensely to the strength of our society.

We continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK seriously.


Written Question
Sikhs: Threat to Life Notices
Friday 26th January 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to (a) assess and (b) ensure the safety of members of the Sikh community issued with Osman notices.

Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)

The UK is proud of its diverse communities, and British Sikhs contribute immensely to the strength of our society.

We continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK seriously.


Written Question
Threat to Life Notices
Friday 26th January 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will review the (a) support and (b) protection measures available to (i) individuals and (ii) families who have received Osman warnings.

Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)

The UK is proud of its diverse communities, and British Sikhs contribute immensely to the strength of our society.

We continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK seriously.


Written Question
Sikhs: Safety
Friday 26th January 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what processes are in place to evaluate the credibility of threats leading to the issuing of Osman warnings in the Sikh community.

Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)

The UK is proud of its diverse communities, and British Sikhs contribute immensely to the strength of our society.

We continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK seriously.


Written Question
Sikhs: Safety
Friday 26th January 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to liaise with the Sikh community over safety concerns.

Answered by Tom Tugendhat - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)

The UK is proud of its diverse communities, and British Sikhs contribute immensely to the strength of our society.

We continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK seriously.


Written Question
India: Sikhs
Thursday 25th January 2024

Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart on allegations of intimidation against British Sikhs by agents of the Indian government.

Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government takes the safety of individuals in the UK extremely seriously and we do everything we can to keep people safe and the country secure. Any attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas are unacceptable. We continually assess potential threats to individuals' rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK, and wherever we identify such threats, we use measures necessary to mitigate the risk to individuals. The UK Government has a broad and deep partnership with the Government of India. This enables us to discuss all elements of our relationship, including concerns where we have them.