Information on the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), its activities in India and in Canada, and Indian government treatment of former members upon their return to India from Canada [IND18471.E]

For information on the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and its activities in India and in Canada, please refer to Response to Information Request IND5742 of 30 August 1990 as well to the attached documents. Attached also are documents providing information on ISYF's activities in United Kingdom, which may be of interest to you.

Information on how former members of the ISYF would be treated upon their return to India from Canada could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB in Ottawa. However, for information on how members of the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) are treated by the police, please refer to Responses to Information Requests IND17053.E of 14 April 1994 and IND15835.E of 17 November 1993. The ISYF is the overseas arm of the AISSF (Mulgrew 1988, 151).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference

Mulgrew, Ian. 1988. Unholy Terror: The Sikhs and International Terrorism. Toronto: Key Porter Books Ltd.

Attachments

Agence France Presse (AFP). 10 october 1991. "Diplomat's Kidnappers Linked to London-Based Sikh Group." (Nexis)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 4 April 1992. "PTI Says Sikh Vote in Slough 'Decisive Factor' in British Election." (Nexis)

The Independent [London]. 25 July 1991. David Connett and Adam Sage. "Convictions Deal Major Blow to Terrorist Group."

(Nexis)

The Ethnic NewsWatch. 4 March 1994. "Pak, Bangla Under Fire for Intolerance." (Nexis)

. 18 February 1994. "Pak-Backed Plan to Recruit Sikh Militants Bared." (Nexis)

Mulgrew, Ian. 1988. Unholy Terror: The Sikhs and International Terrorism. Toronto: Key Porter Books Ltd., p. 151.

Reuters. 15 October 1991. BC Cycle. Jawed Naqvi. "India Asks European Countries for Intelligence on Militants." (Nexis)

The Vancouver Sun. 10 August 1994. Final Edition. Kim Bolan. "Sikh Separatist Denied Accreditation to Commonwealth Games." (Nexis)

. 9 October 1991. Kevin Griffin. "Sikh Facing Deportation Flees: Youth Group Rejects Man Once Welcomed." (Nexis)

. 27 July 1992. Harold Munro and Kim Bolan. "Never Knew Singh, Official Claims." (Nexis)