FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: media@sikhcoalition.org
New Resource: Guide for Law Enforcement Investigating Hate Crimes Against Sikhs
October 19, 2023 (New York, NY) – Today, the Sikh Coalition is releasing a new resource directed to law enforcement agencies titled ‘Guide to Investigating and Prosecuting Bias/Hate-Motivated Crimes Against Sikhs.’ This guide is the first of its kind from the Sikh Coalition, meant to aid both police and prosecutors as they serve the Sikh community—which remains one of the most targeted religious groups in the nation for hate crimes and bias incidents per FBI data.
This guide includes background on the Sikh community and faith, information about hate crimes and bias incidents, an overview of the applicable laws related to hate crimes, and detailed case studies for law enforcement to understand the nuances and necessary cultural context of anti-Sikh hate crimes. It also includes, for the first time in one of the Sikh Coalition’s resources, a detailed visual glossary that depicts various terms and phrases related to Sikhism.
For more than 20 years, the Sikh Coalition’s legal intakes have corroborated official government data showing that Sikhs are hundreds of times more likely than other Americans to experience bias—often because of their distinct appearance. Unfortunately, many of these crimes go uninvestigated, uncharged, or unreported due to the lack of understanding many law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices have regarding both bias against the Sikh community and hate crimes in general. To create trust with our community, law enforcement must understand how Sikhs are targeted so they can more efficiently and effectively investigate, prosecute, and restore communities from hate crimes.”
The Sikh Coalition will continue to create resources for partners both in and out of government in order to share vital information about the challenges and opportunities facing the Sikh community. Just this week, we released our analysis of the FBI’s latest hate crimes data; we also re-published resources for community vigilance and safety in light of current national and international events. In the meantime, we remain committed to providing pro bono legal support for sangat members who experience acts of bias, bigotry, and backlash.
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For more than 20 years, the Sikh Coalition has fought for the civil rights of Sikh Americans—including by providing pro bono legal support to Sikhs who face violent acts of hate, workplace discrimination, severe school bullying, and more. For more information about our work or to interview expert attorneys on our staff, please contact media@sikhcoalition.org.