Introduced
July 2, 2026
Mr. Vargas submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
RESOLUTION
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.
- (1) encourages India to pursue an independent investigation into the arrest, incarceration, and death of Father Stan, a prominent human rights activist who died while in custody on July 5, 2021;
- (2) makes it clear to the Indian Government and all governments around the world that the mistreatment and incarceration of individuals advocating for human rights cannot persist;
- (3) monitors the status of, and supports, the Adivasi, Dalit, and minority communities in India, as well as other indigenous communities around the world;
- (4) expresses concern at the misuse of antiterror laws to target human rights defenders and political opponents, and applauds a recent ruling by India’s top court to suspend a controversial colonial-era sedition law and urges India’s Parliament to make the suspension permanent; and
- (5) makes it clear to the Indian Government and all governments around the world that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, as written in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, that enshrines the rights and freedoms of all human beings.