India: Human rights defender Fr Stan Swamy SJ has died

Source: Jesuit Missions/CSW/CBCEW

Fr Stan Swamy SJ died today, in Holy Name Hospital in New Delhi aged 84.

Dr Stanislaus D'Souza SJ, the Jesuit Provincial of India announced: "With a deep sense of pain, anguish and hope we have surrendered Fr Stan Swamy, aged 84, to his eternal abode."

Fr Stan dedicated his life to marginalised people in India, for which he will forever be remembered. He fought hard for the land rights of Adivasi and Dalit communities against multi-national companies and mining businesses. He was unfairly arrested by the National Investigation Agency of India on fictitious charges about his advocacy work being linked to Maoist terrorism.

A long-term sufferer of Parkinson's disease, his incarceration in a crowded prison since October 2020 made his condition much worse. After seven months his health had deteriorated so badly he was admitted to hospital in late May by the Bombay High Court. Since then, he was in a critical condition after testing positive for Covid-19.

Since his arrest a worldwide campaign was launched appealing for his release. Fr Stan was imprisoned alongside 15 other human rights activists on the same charges and the campaign for their release continues.

In London, protests were held outside the High Commission of India. Thousands wrote letters to their MPs. Catholic Bishops from the Department for International Affairs in Westminster recorded messages of prayer and support for Fr Stan as he marked his 84th birthday in prison. More than 1,000 cards were sent to the Jesuit Missions office for Fr Stan. In January, Cardinal Vincent Nichols joined with the Provincial of the Jesuits in Britain to call for his immediate release.

His case highlighted the broken justice system of India and the governments' dangerous reaction to those wishing to speak freely on injustice issues.

Dr Stanislaus D'Souza SJ said: "The Society of Jesus at this moment, recommits itself to take forward the legacy of Fr Stan in its mission of Justice and Reconciliation."

Fr Damian Howard SJ, Provincial Superior of the British Jesuits, said: "The Jesuits in Britain are deeply saddened by the death of Fr Stan Swamy. He was a Jesuit who went where the need was greatest. His fidelity to his mission right to the end is his last expression of service to the poor whose rights he defended for so long. It is now for us to continue to stand against injustices all over the world as he did."

The Chair of the Catholic Bishops' Conference Department for International Affairs, Bishop Declan Lang said: "Father Stan Swamy SJ worked tirelessly for fifty years to defend the human dignity of India's most marginalised people. For this he was unjustly imprisoned and denied his own rights. His life and legacy are a powerful lesson for us all, of selfless service to others.

"Today our prayers are with Fr Stan, the Church in India, the global Jesuit community and all those who he helped. May he rest in peace."

Father Cedric Prakash, a Jesuit priest and human rights activist in India, told Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) : "The demise of Father Stan has left a deep void in the hearts of billions of people across India and the world. Very specially, the poor, the marginalised, the Adivasis and Dalits and in the lives of human rights defenders from across the board.

"Father Stan championed the cause of the Adivasis, whose legitimate rights are guaranteed by the Constitution of India, and he accompanied them all his life for greater dignity, equality and their rightful place in society. He did all he could to ensure that the natural resources (water, forest and land) which are rightly theirs, which are being exploited by the powerful, the rich and the mining mafias, were not illegally snatched away from them. Because of this, he paid the price. I personally believe that Father Stan will never die. He has finished his pilgrimage here on earth, but he will continue to live in the hearts of thousands of people and we will see many more Father Stans springing up for the sake of India."

CSW's Chief Executive Scot Bower said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of human rights defender Father Stan Swamy, a man who dedicated his entire life to the cause of the marginalised in India and extend our sincere condolences to his loved ones. His arrest by the NIA, without proper evidence, his bail pleas that were repeatedly denied despite his deteriorating health, and the inhumane treatment he received while in prison are all reminders of the shocking violations of basic human rights that remain a regular occurrence in India. We hope and pray that his death would not be in vain and that his life would inspire many more people to fearlessly stand up for justice."

Your prayers for the repose of his soul are appreciated at this time. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.