Honoring the life and legacy of Father Stan, a prominent human rights activist who died while in custody of the Indian State on July 5, 2021, and encouraging India to pursue an independent investigation into his arrest, incarceration, and death.

Key Points

• This resolution honors Father Stan, a priest and activist who spent his life fighting for the rights of indigenous and poor communities in India. He worked to protect their land and homes from being taken by the government or large mining companies.
• In 2020, Indian authorities arrested the 83-year-old activist, who had Parkinson's disease, using evidence that experts now say was planted on his computer by hackers. He died in 2021 while still being held by the government after being denied basic needs and medical bail.
• The resolution asks the Indian government to start an independent investigation into his arrest, jail time, and death. It also criticizes the use of anti-terrorism laws to target people who are simply speaking out for human rights or political reasons.
• It sends a message that the United States supports the rights of minority groups in India and believes that no one should be mistreated or jailed for their peaceful work. It emphasizes that freedom of expression is a basic right for everyone in the world.

Impact Analysis

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