Geneva - Father Stan Swamy, who passed away last year, will be posthumously awarded with '2022 Martin Ennals Award' . The award, which is usually referred to as the ‘Nobel Prize for Human Rights’, is given in recognition of Father Stan’s exemplary work protecting and defending the rights of Adivasis in Jharkhand.
Fr Xavier Soreng SJ, from the Ranchi Jesuit Society, will receive the award in Geneva today.
Hans Thoolen, the Chair of the Martin Ennals Award Jury said, "Father Stan was nominated to the Award in spring 2021, but he sadly passed away before it could reach him. 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."
Fr. Stan Swamy, an 84-years-old Jesuit priest was arrested on October 8, 2020 from his residence in Ranchi. He had fought for the causes of tribal people from state of Jharkhand for half a century, till his final days in Taloja jail where he suffered a cardiac arrest.
Hewas 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).
He was imprisoned in Mumbai Taloja Jail following a Supreme Court order. The clergyman in his eighties was imprisoned on the basis of mere allegations. He was also a victim of several human rights violations, even while in prison. His arrest had sparked widespread outrage in India
Fr. Stan Swamy was suffering from Parkinson's disease and had requested bail on medical grounds, which was rejected multiple times. The court did not consider his request as an urgent need and extended the case.
In his last bail hearing in May, he had predicted his death. "I would rather suffer, possibly die here very shortly if this were to go on," he told the judges.
He was admitted to the Holy Family Hospital, after he contracted Covid in jail. He passed away on 5 July 2021, of cardiac arrest.
Father Stan was the oldest to be accused of terrorism in India.
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. The Award is managed by the Martin Ennals Foundation, based in Geneva.