USCIRF condemns death of Stan Swamy

A federal American body has condemned the deliberate neglect by the government of India that it said led to the death of Jesuit priest Stan SwamySwamy 84 who was arrested last year under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act UAPA in connection with the Elgar ParishadMaoist links case died at a Mumbai hospital on MondayFather Stan Swamys death is a stark reminder of the egregious and ongoing persecution of Indias religious minority communities Nadine Maenza chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom USCIRF said in a statement on WednesdayThe USCIRF condemns in strongest terms the deliberate neglect and targeting by the government of India that led to the death of Father Stan Swamy it saidUSCIRF condemns in the strongest terms the deliberate neglect and targeting by the government of India that led to the death of Father StanSwamy an 84yearold Jesuit priest and longtime human rights defender httpstcoZqT6nl3ve5mdash USCIRF USCIRF July 7 2021Maenza urged the United States to hold the Indian government accountable and to raise religious freedom concerns in the USIndia bilateral relationshipRejecting mounting international criticism over the handling of the case of Swamy India on Tuesday said the concerned authorities act against violations of law and do not restrain the legitimate exercise of rightsThe Ministry of External Affairs said India remains committed to the promotion and protection of the human rights of all its citizens and that the countrys democratic polity is complemented by an independent judiciary and a range of national and statelevel human rights commissionsAlso readMaharashtra Elgar case accused go on hunger strike in jail against institutional murder of Stan SwamySwamy 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 said in a statement in New DelhiIt said Swamy was receiving all possible medical attention at a private hospital where he was admitted since May 28 His health and medical treatment were being closely monitored by the courts He passed away on July 5 following medical complicationsIndia remains committed to promotion and protection of human rights of all its citizens the ministry said in response to media queriesIndia had earlier rejected its criticism by the USCIRF terming its observations on the condition of minorities and religious freedom in the country as biased and tendentiousThe MEA had termed the USCIRF as an organisation of particular concern in 2020 and said it will treat it accordinglyUSCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava said that the commission is deeply saddened and appalled by the death of SwamyFor years he fought for the rights and dignity of lowcaste and poor people across India she saidFather Swamy died in the custody of Indian authorities who targeted him for giving voice to the human rights concerns of Adivasis and other lowcaste religious and poor communities she saidThe Indian government held him for these past months without any trial or conviction despite lack of credible evidence on the charges filed against him his deteriorating health and global calls for his release Bhargava addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever