Imprisoning human rights activists on false charges is unacceptable : UNHRC

• United Nations and European Union whinge over Father Stan Swamy’s death in prison
• The UN and organisations in the western countries are mourning Stan Swamy’s death as he was a Christian. Have these organisations uttered a single word of protest to date for the atrocities and deaths of innocent Hindus in Police custody in India ?
• The seriousness of the case is evident from the fact that the accused was denied bail by the Court as he was charged with the conspiracy to assassinate the PM. Given the fact, attempts by these organisations to disprove those allegations are an outrageous act of distrust of the Indian judiciary. The Indian Government needs to take drastic steps to show such organisations their place.
• The urban Naxals have a large number of supporters around the world !

London/UN – Stan Swamy, an 84-year-old urban Naxal who was arrested in connection to the alleged conspiracy to assassinate PM Modi, died in prison. The EU and the UN have mourned his death. UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor described the news about the Jesuit priest’s death in custody as ‘devastating’, noting that he died nine months after his arrest, Lawlor said jailing human rights defenders was ‘inexcusable’. Earlier, she had expressed concern over Swamy’s health and demanded special treatment for him.

UN human rights chief and human rights officials of the US and European Union expressed concern at the death of #StanSwamy https://t.co/Xp7NRBesMj

— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) July 6, 2021

1. European Union Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore too expressed concerns. ‘I am very saddened to hear that Father Stan Swamy has passed away. A defender of indigenous peoples’ rights, he was held in detention for the past nine months’, he said while revealing that the EU had been raising his case repeatedly with authorities.

2. Stan Swamy, who was arrested last year under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon Elgar Parishad case, died in a Mumbai hospital on 5th July. He was accused of having links with the Maoists.

Action against Stan Swamy based on law – Indian Government’s response

Asserting that India remains committed to the promotion and protection of human rights of all its citizens, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the country’s democratic polity is complemented by an independent judiciary and a range of national and state-level human rights commissions. Noting that Father Stan Swamy was arrested and detained by the National Investigation Agency following due process under law, the Ministry said because of the specific nature of charges against him, his bail applications were rejected by the Courts. “Authorities in India act against violations of law and not against legitimate exercise of rights. All such actions are strictly in accordance with the law. Swamy’s health and medical treatment were being closely monitored by the Courts and he passed away on 5^th July following medical complications”, MEA spokesperson said.