ISYF ban lifted but European Union asset freeze to continue

THOUGH UK LIFTED THE BAN ON PRO-KHALISTAN GROUP, ISYF IS STILL CONSIDERED A TERROR ORGANISATION IN INDIA

LONDON: Britain’s ban on the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) has been lifted but the group remains subject to an asset freeze across the European Union, until it is removed from the regime by Brussels.

Home Office sources said: “The ISYF is subject to an EU asset freeze, therefore it remains an offence to make funds or economic resources available to the group under the EU’s asset freeze regime.”

Lifting of the ban imposed on the ISYF in 2001 means that being a member of, or inviting support for, the group now ceases to be a criminal offence. It continues to be banned in India and Canada.

“Member states that have a direct interest in this group”, such as India, will be informed of Britain’s decision to lift the ban, minister for security John Hayes told the House of Commons during a debate on a motion lifting the ban this week.

Hayes said the issue of releasing frozen funds to the ISYF was a “complex matter”, but said the United Nations and the EU would be notified of the ban being lifted.

The Sikh Federation (UK), which lobbied to overturn the ban, said the “Amritsar papers” de-classified in January 2014 — that suggested Britain had a role in the 1984 Operation Bluestar — provided the “impetus” to apply for the ISYF to be de-proscribed.

Bhai Am rik Singh, chair of Sikh Federation (UK), said: “We have it in writing that Special Branch and MI 5 did not advocate the banning of the ISYF in 2001, but officials from the foreign office suggested to the then home secretary a ban on the ISYF in the UK would be beneficial to relations with India.”