Stan Swamy was arrested last year in connection with the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case
United Nations:
A UN human rights expert has said that she is devastated to hear about the death of Stan Swamy in custody, saying there is no reason for a human rights defender to be denied his rights and that his death will forever remain a stain on India's human rights record.
Stan Swamy, 84, who was arrested last year under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, died at a Mumbai hospital on July 5.
In a statement issued on Thursday, UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor said Father Swamy's case should remind all states that human rights defenders and all those detained without sufficient legal basis, should be released.