New Delhi: The Office of International Religious Freedom under the US State Department urged India to “respect the vital role of human rights activists in healthy democracies” while mourning the loss of 84-year-old rights activist and Jesuit priest Stan Swamy.
“We are saddened by the death of Father Stan Swamy, a Jesuit priest & tribal rights activist, who died in Indian custody under charges of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. We call on all governments to respect the vital role of human rights activists in healthy democracies,” the Office of International Religious Freedom tweeted Thursday.
We are saddened by the death of Father Stan Swamy, a Jesuit priest & tribal rights activist, who died in Indian custody under charges of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. We call on all governments to respect the vital role of human rights activists in healthy democracies.
— Office of International Religious Freedom (@StateIRF) July 7, 2021
Swamy, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the Bhima Koregaon case in 2020, died in a hospital Monday after he contracted Covid in jail.
The Office of International Religious Freedom promotes universal respect for religious freedom as a core objective of US foreign policy. It continually monitors religiously motivated abuses, harassment, and discrimination worldwide. It also recommends, develops, and implements policies to address such concerns.
The statement comes after the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor and EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore said Swamy was imprisoned on “false charges of terrorism” and that the EU has been raising the issue “repeatedly” with the Indian government.
However, the Ministry of External Affairs has rejected the statements and said India remains committed to the promotion and protection of the human rights of all its citizens and that the country’s democratic polity is complemented by an independent judiciary and a range of national and state-level human rights commissions.
Also read: Stan Swamy death ‘institutional murder by inhuman state’, kin of Bhima Koregaon accused say
USCIRF urges US to hold Indian govt accountable
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) — an independent, bipartisan US federal government body — also released a statement Wednesday, condemning Swamy’s death. USCIRF pointed to “deliberate neglect” and “targeting” by the central government which led to the death of the priest.
It also said it was “deeply saddened” and “appalled” by his passing.
“We urge the United States to hold the Indian government accountable and to raise religious freedom concerns in the U.S.-India bilateral relationship,” said USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza.
Swamy suffered from Parkinson’s disease and contracted Covid-19 while in prison. In December 2020, the activist was given a straw and sipper by Taloja jail authorities, which he had been requesting for four weeks.
Also read: Stan Swamy lived a life of service to the poor and oppressed. He paid for his commitment