Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 6: The United Nations on Tuesday on its official Twitter handle stated that it was 'disturbed by the death' of 84-year-old priest-activist Father Stan Swamy. "No one should be detained for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, of peaceful assembly and of association," said the office of the UN high commissioner for Human Rights.
"With COVID-19, it is even more urgent that States release every person detained without sufficient legal basis," the UN added.
Tribal rights activist Fr Stan Swamy was one of the dozen people accused in the Koregaon-Bhima case. He was imprisoned under the anti-terror law, which allows for prolonged detention for questioning.
Fr Stan Swamy had also stated that his applications for bail on medical grounds were repeatedly rejected. He passed away as the Bombay High Court was considering an appeal against the rejection of his bail application.
The doctor treating the activist on Monday had informed that the 84-year old suffered a cardiac arrest on Saturday. "It is with a very heavy heart I have to inform you that Fr Stan Swamy has passed away," the doctor told before the court.
Political leaders and activists even expressed outrage on social media over the ailing octogenarian's death.