We, the Catholic Church of Bangladesh, are deeply saddened by the death in custody of Fr. Stan Swamy, 84 year-old Jesuit priest and human rights defender in India, on 05 July 2021. The Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh (ECJP-CBCB) extends the deepest condolences to the Church and the faithful in India and to Jesuit Fathers and to the Father’s family. We are united in prayers that the Father of all mercy to welcome him into His peace and light.
Fr. Stanislaus Lourduswamy, the elderly human rights defender, popularly known as Fr. Stan Swamy, died days before his scheduled bail hearing in the High Court of Bombay, which had been postponed due to his deteriorating health. Fr. Stan Swamy, who also suffered from Parkinson’s disease, had been placed on a ventilator at Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai over the weekend, more than a month after he was admitted to the hospital under court order with COVID-19. Fr. Stan Swamy was repeatedly denied bail, and died at the Holy Family Hospital, in Mumbai, India. The defender spent 9 months in jail under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), denied bail and medical care in jail, and only transferred to a hospital when his condition became critical on 29 May.
Fr. Stan Swamy was born into a farming family in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. He joined the Jesuits after turning 20. After his ordination, he served as a priest for more than 50 years. Fr. Stan Swamy advocated for the rights of indigenous tribes in Jharkhand and served as the director of the Indian Social Institute, a training school for marginalized communities in Bangalore, for more than a decade. He was the co-founder of the Persecuted Prisoners Solidarity Committee, an organization assisting those held in prison without having been convicted of a crime because they are still undergoing a trial. Fr. Stan Swamy worked among the Adivasis, Dalits and other marginalized communities so that the poor may have life and life to the full with dignity and honor.
In a Statement announcing Fr. Stan Swamy’s death, “Fr. Stan Swamy has been a dedicated advocate for the rights of Adivasi people, especially in the State of Jharkhand. He founded the Vistapan Virodhi Jan Vikas Andolan, an all-India platform to secure and protect the land rights of Dalit and Adivasi peoples, and was a prominent advocate against the forced displacement of Adivasi communities, typically occurring in the context of development and the mining of mineral-rich lands. He spoke out against the systemic discrimination and violence directed at the Adivasi community and he notably documented and advocated against the arrest of Adivasi youth, who are frequently accused of being “Naxalites” or “Maoists.” He has supported and inspired the most marginal and vulnerable communities to seek redress against violence and discrimination. His persecution and eventual arrest are direct reprisal for his peaceful work.”
"He was arrested on Oct. 8, 2020, by the National Investigation Agency, India’s counter-terrorism task force. The Jesuit priest was accused of being involved with a Maoist group, and inciting violence in the town of Bhima-Koregaon on Jan. 1, 2018. On 09 October, Fr. Stan Swamy was transferred 1,700 kilometres away from his home to Mumbai, Maharashtra, and remanded in the overcrowded Taloja Central Jail. At the time of his arrest Stan Swamy was already suffering from Parkinson’s disease, significant loss of hearing in both ears, and other serious underlying health issues. Initially jail authorities denied him warm clothes and a sipper cup which he needed due to the effects of Parkinson’s disease. Fr. Stan Swamy was eventually transferred from Taloja Central Jail to the Holy Family Hospital on 28 May 2021, when his condition had worsened severely. He tested positive for Covid19 on 30 May. Throughout the month of June he remained in a critical condition, and was moved to the Intensive Care Unit. Fr. Stan Swamy died on at 1.24 pm on 05 July."
His death in custody, and the continued incarceration of other defenders is a tragic indictment of India’s human rights record, and of the global community’s human rights commitments. We stand by Fr. Stan Swamy and other defenders accused and held under trial in this case, and believe they are being deliberately targeted for their human rights work. Standing united and without compromises the human rights values we believe that Indian government will understand their unjust steps and will release many other human rights defenders arbitrarily held in India before they meet the same fate as Fr. Stan Swamy.
We, Justice and Peace volunteers, experienced Fr. Stan Swamy as a gentle giant who walked miles with the tribals and marginalized people for 60 years. Fr. Stan Swamy was attentive to the needs of the poor communities, filled with courage and determination. He dedicated His life as a priest and human rights defender to the preferential option for the poor. In this simple way, he embodied the strong prophetic mission of the Church in India, as well as in global community. A man of justice, peace and unity, Fr. Stan Swamy has been deeply involved in integral human development in the local church and in the country. We learned that by denying him basic human rights, the state has shown its ugly coercive force to the people, Fr. Stan Swamy is a martyr, and a saintly example for us, he fought and died for justice and human rights for least, last and lost ‘all brothers and sisters’ in our ‘common home’ to build fraternal society.
Again, on behalf
of the Episcopal commission for Justice and peace-CBCB we express deepest
condolences to the Jesuits of Jamshedpur Jesuit Province, the Jesuits of
Bangladesh, the family members, friends, lawyers, well-wishers and all those
who stood by Fr. Stan Swamy, and we are united in prayers during this painful moment. We offer our thoughts, prayers and well-wishes during
this dark time in human rights defenders in the country. We continue to stand in solidarity
with Fr. Stan Swamy and we call for full accountability for his death while we
demand justice. His example, good works, spirit, courage and kindness will not
be forgotten and will continue to inspire.
Fr. Liton Hubert Gomes, CSC, Executive Secretary, Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace, The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh, CBCB Centre, 24/C Asad Avenue, Mohammedpur, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh, July 12, 2021
Most Rev. Bishop Gervas Rozario,DD, Chairman, Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace of CBCB, Vice-President of CBCB & Bishop of Rajshahi
