Fr. Swamy’s dying will ‘remain a stain’ on India’s human rights report: UN skilled

A UN human rights skilled has stated that she is devastated to listen to concerning the demise of Jesuit priest Stan Swamy in custody, saying there’s “no reason” for a human rights defender to be denied his rights and that his dying will eternally “remain a stain” on India’s human rights report.
Swamy, 84, who was arrested final 12 months beneath the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in reference to the Elgar Parishad-Maoist hyperlinks case, died at a Mumbai hospital on July 5.
In an announcement issued on Thursday, UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor stated Father Swamy’s case ought to remind all states that human rights defenders and all these detained with out ample authorized foundation, needs to be launched.
Lawlor stated the dying in custody of Catholic priest Swamy, “a renowned human rights and social justice advocate for over four decades, will forever remain a stain on India’s human rights record.”
“There is no excuse, ever, for a human rights defender to be smeared as a terrorist, and no reason they should ever die the way Father Swamy died, accused and detained, and denied his rights,” she stated.
India has rejected worldwide criticism over the dealing with of Swamy’s case.
The Ministry of External Affairs has stated the involved authorities act towards violations of legislation and don’t restrain the official train of rights.
It stated India stays dedicated to the promotion and safety of the human rights of all its residents and that the nation’s democratic polity is complemented by an unbiased judiciary and a variety of nationwide and state-level human rights commissions.
“Swamy was arrested and detained by the National Investigation Agency following due process under the law. 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,” the MEA stated in an announcement in New Delhi quickly after Swamy’s dying.
It stated Swamy was receiving all potential medical consideration at a non-public hospital the place he was admitted since May 28. His well being and medical remedy had been being carefully monitored by the courts. He handed away on July 5 following medical problems.
Lawlor stated Swamy was jailed final October “on fabricated terrorism charges” and had been subjected to harassment and repeated interrogations.
“I was devastated to hear that Father Stan, a Jesuit priest who had dedicated much of his life to defending the rights of indigenous peoples and the Adivasi minority, died in custody on July 5, despite many requests for his release as his health deteriorated in prison,” she stated.
She added that in early November 2020, UN specialists joined her in elevating his case with the Indian authorities, reminding them of their worldwide human rights obligations. “I now ask again why he wasn’t released, and why he had to die in custody?” she stated.
Lawlor added that Swamy had been working for many years to guard the rights of Adivasi minority indigenous peoples and the Dalit minority, particularly violations involving compelled displacement and unlawful land acquisitions.
“We know that defenders working on environmental, land or indigenous people’s rights are among the most vulnerable to being targeted,” stated Lawlor.
Lawlor’s name has been endorsed by Special Rapporteur on minority points Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on the precise to bodily and psychological well being Tlaleng Mofokeng.
Lawlor of Ireland is the Special Rapporteur on the state of affairs of human rights defenders. She is presently an Adjunct Professor of Business and Human Rights in Trinity College Dublin. She was beforehand Director of the Irish Office of Amnesty International from 1988 to 2000.

Special Rapporteurs are half of what’s referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the biggest physique of unbiased specialists within the UN Human Rights system, is the final title of the Council’s unbiased fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that tackle both particular nation conditions or thematic points in all elements of the world.