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India says Stan Swamy treated as per law, dismisses criticism by UNHRC and EU

The External Affairs Ministry said India remains committed to the promotion and protection of human rights of all its citizens.

India says Stan Swamy treated as per law, rejects remarks by UNHRC EU-VPN
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New Delhi, First Published Jul 6, 2021, 11:05 PM IST

After the United Nations Human Rights Council and the European Union expressed concerns over the treatment meted out to tribal rights activist Stan Swamy who died in a hospital even as his bail petition was being heard in the Bombay High Court, India has dismissed claims of injustice meted out to the 84-year-old.

After repeated queries, the External Affairs Ministry said New Delhi remains committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of all its citizens.

With regard to Stan Swamy, the ministry said the activist had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mumbai and that he died of medical complications. 

After Stan Swamy's death on Monday, Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, had said the organisation was deeply saddened and disturbed by the death of the human rights defender following his arrest in October 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or UAPA.

The spokesman further said that High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet and the UN's independent experts had repeatedly raised with the Government of India the cases of Stan Swamy and 15 other human rights defenders associated with the same events over the past three years and urged their release from pre-trial detention. 

Eamon Gilmore, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, said that a defender of indigenous peoples' rights had been held in detention for the past nine months. The EU had been raising his case repeatedly with the authorities.

In response, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "The National Investigation Agency arrested and detained Father Stan Swamy following due process under the law. His bail applications were rejected by the courts because of the specific nature of charges against him. Indian authorities act against violations of law and not against legitimate exercise of rights. All actions are strictly in accordance with the law."

He also said that the Bombay High Court had allowed him to be shifted to a private hospital for medical treatment. At the hospital, he was receiving all possible medical attention since May 28. 

"His health and medical treatment were being closely monitored by the courts. Stan Swamy passed away on July 5 due to medical complications," Bagchi said.

"India's democratic and constitutional polity is complemented by an independent judiciary, a range of national and state-level Human Rights Commissions that monitor violations, a free media and a vibrant and vocal civil society," he added.

Stan Swamy was arrested last year under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the Elgar Parishad case.

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