Father Stan Swamy, who passed away last year, will be awarded by Human Rights Defenders Alert – India (HRDA) on June 2, 2022 with ‘2022 Martin Ennals Award’ for his exemplary work protecting and defending the rights of Adivasis in Jharkhand.
Swamy, an 84-years-old Jesuit priest, had fought for the causes of tribal people from state of Jharkhand till his final days in Taloja jail where he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was arrested in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case.
Swamy was charged by the National Investigation Agency under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, for his alleged role in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence and links to the banned outfit Communist Party of India (Maoist). Swamy was suffering from Parkinson’s disease and had requested bail on medical grounds, which was rejected multiple times. While incarcerated, his health deteriorated and died on 5 July 2021.
“It is with utmost pleasure I am informing you that human rights defender Fr. Stan Swamy will be honoured at the 2022 Martin Ennals Award Ceremony. Certainly, this is an acknowledgment of the work and legacy that Fr. Swamy has left behind for all of us to carry on,” said Working Secretary Henri Tiphagne.
Describing his body of work, the jury for the award wrote: “He dedicated much of his work to advance the rights of Adivasi communities – indigenous tribes of India who are known as forest dwellers and protectors of the environment. He advocated for empowering the Adivasi communities to claim the rights to their land and legitimize their cultural heritage and knowledge.”
“Father Stan was nominated to the Award in spring 2021, but he sadly passed away before it could reach him,” said Chair of the Award Jury, Hans Thoolen. “The Jury wished to shine a light on Father Stan’s many contributions to human rights, which cannot be eclipsed by his unjust incarceration by Indian authorities.”
The Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders honors individuals and organizations that have shown exceptional commitment to defending and promoting human rights, despite the risks involved. It strives to provide them with much needed protection, raising their public profile and gathering international support for their work. The Award is managed by the Martin Ennals Foundation, based in Geneva (Switzerland). There are currently over 60 defenders associated to the Martin Ennals Award in 34 countries. In order to broaden its support to Defenders, the Foundation has launched several programs in Geneva and beyond.
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