US Lawmakers Demand Justice for Father Stan Swamy from Indian Government

In a significant move, US lawmakers have raised concerns over the death of Father Stanislaus Lourduswamy, widely known as Father Stan Swamy, a human rights activist who died in custody. They have called for an independent investigation from India into his arrest, incarceration, and subsequent death.

Three American lawmakers have introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives. Congressman Juan Vargas, along with Jim McGovern and Andre Carson, spearheaded this initiative. The resolution highlights the alleged misuse of anti-terror laws to target human rights defenders and political opponents. It also commends a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of India, which suspended a controversial colonial-era sedition law, and urges India’s Parliament to make this suspension permanent.

The resolution underscores that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, as articulated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, enshrines the rights and freedoms of all individuals.

“Father Stan dedicated his life to giving a voice to the voiceless. He tirelessly advocated for the rights of the indigenous Adivasi people, trained young community leaders, and worked for justice for many communities in India,” stated Congressman Vargas. As a former Jesuit, Vargas expressed his horror at the relentless abuse Father Stan faced and his denial of medical care while in custody. He emphasized that the resolution aims to ensure Father Stan’s lifelong commitment to the greater good is never forgotten.

Father Stan was born on April 26, 1937, in Viragalur, a village in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli district. Inspired by Jesuit priests from an early age, he began studying theology in 1957. The resolution details Father Stan’s significant role in the Pathalgadi movement, one of the most notable Adivasi movements in contemporary India. This movement utilized Adivasi traditions of stone carving to disseminate information about their constitutional rights.

The US lawmakers’ call for an independent investigation reflects a broader concern about human rights and the treatment of activists in India. The resolution not only seeks justice for Father Stan but also aims to highlight and address systemic issues related to the misuse of laws against human rights defenders.

To conclude, the introduction of this resolution in the US House of Representatives marks an important step in advocating for human rights and justice. It sends a clear message to the Indian government and other nations that the fundamental human right to freedom of expression must be upheld and protected.