6,000 Sikhs from Switzerland and bordering France, Italy and Germany gathered in Geneva to cast their votes for the non-binding Khalistan Referendum, despite the heavy snow and rainstorm in the Swiss capital to kickstart the European phase of the referendum on the United Nations Human Rights Day.
Sikhs started arriving in buses and private vehicles overnight to take part in the voting process that was held at a vast community hall near the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) headquarters.
Khalistan Referendum Sikhs in Geneva take to the streets
Due to heavy snowstorms overnight in Switzerland, France and Italy, several dozen coaches carrying Sikh families failed to reach Geneva on Friday due to traffic jams and roadblocks.
Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), the organiser of the Khalistan Referendum, said that the voting day of December 10 was picked in Geneva to coincide with the International Human Rights Day. The Khalistan Referendum voting took place under the supervision of the independent Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC).
Citing 2021’s ‘Equality’ theme of UN Human Rights Day, SFJ General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun stated that Sikh people are facing an existential threat and their right to life and liberty is in danger under Indian governance.