In response to the UN organ’s human rights declaration on the death of Stan Swamy, MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said the 84-year-old activist had been denied bail because of the nature of the charges against him.
File photo of MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi (Image courtesy: YouTube @MEA)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Deeply saddened, troubled by Stan Swamy’s death: UN Human Rights Panel
- Indian authorities act against violations of the law, not against the legitimate exercise of rights: MEA
- Stan Swamy, 84, was arrested by the NIA in October last year in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case
The State Department (MEA) has rejected increasing international criticism of the death of 84-year-old activist Stan Swamy. Earlier on Tuesday, the UN human rights body said it was “deeply saddened” and “dismayed” by the Jesuit priest’s death while in custody.
Reaction to criticism, MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said Swamy was arrested “after due process” by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
“Because of the particular nature of the charges against him [Swamy], His bail requests were rejected by the courts. The authorities in India act against violations of the law, not against the legitimate exercise of rights, “said Arindam Bagchi.
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The MEA spokesman added that on May 28, the Bombay Supreme Court allowed Swamy to seek treatment in a private hospital. The tribal rights activist died “after medical complications,” added Bagchi.
“India’s democratic and constitutional policies are complemented by an independent judiciary, a number of national and state human rights commissions that monitor violations, free media and a vibrant and vocal civil society,” said the MEA spokesman.
Comments from the UN body on human rights
The previous Tuesday, the UN human rights body issued a statement saying it was “deeply saddened and upset” by the death of Stan Swamy.
“We are deeply saddened and dismayed at the death of 84 year old father Stan Swamy, a human rights defender and Jesuit priest, yesterday in Mumbai after his arrest in October 2020 under Indian Law to Prevent Unlawful Activities, “said Liz Throssell, spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Throssell said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – Michelle Bachelet – and independent experts have repeatedly urged the Indian government to release Stan Swamy and 15 others detained in the Bhima Koregaon (Elgar Parishad) case.
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