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MAY 21, 2026
May 21, 2026 (Washington, DC) — Today, the Sikh Coalition is excited to share historic news: Dr. Gunisha Kaur has been appointed to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY).
Dr. Kaur is an anesthesiologist specializing in human rights research. She serves as the Director of the Weill Cornell Medicine Human Rights Impact Lab, a board member of Ensaaf, a Stephen M. Kellen Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations, and a Faculty Fellow at the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies. Her appointment marks the first time, to our knowledge, that a member of the Sikh community has been asked to serve on the Commission. The Sikh Coalition was glad to put forth Dr. Kaur for consideration and to advocate for her appointment with allies on Capitol Hill.
USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the White House and Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate for two-year terms. As an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency, USCIRF is responsible for monitoring the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad; making policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress; and tracking the implementation of its recommendations.
In recent years, the Sikh Coalition has collaborated with USCIRF closely to raise awareness about transnational repression, commemorate Sikh human rights defenders like Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra, and more. Sikh history is closely connected to USCIRF’s core issues, including persecution, displacement, and the defense of fundamental human rights. From government-based challenges to religious liberty in South Asia to humanitarian crises affecting Sikh communities in war-torn areas like Iran and Afghanistan, Sikh perspectives are more relevant than ever to USCIRF’s mission.
“I am proud to recommend the exceptional Dr. Gunisha Kaur for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom,” said Senator Schumer. “Dr. Kaur will make history as the first and only Sikh to serve on the commission, and I am honored to support a commissioner with such extensive experience in human rights and community leadership. Dr. Kaur is a physician, anthropologist, international human rights advocate, and Sikh community leader. She serves as Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Director of the Anesthesiology Global Health Initiative and Human Rights Impact Lab, and Salvatore Family Medical Director of the Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights. I am confident that she will bring her deep medical, academic, research, and leadership expertise to her service on the commission.”
The Sikh Coalition offers our congratulations to Dr. Kaur, as well our gratitude to Senator Schumer and the many allies who advocated publicly and privately for her. We look forward to working with USCIRF’s commissioners and staff on issues of importance to the nationwide sangat in the months ahead.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.
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