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.

HRES 561 is a symbolic resolution honoring Father Stan, a human rights activist who died in Indian custody on July 5, 2021. It urges the Indian government to conduct an independent investigation into his arrest, imprisonment, and death, which occurred after he was charged with sedition and incarcerated for advocating for Adivasi land rights. The resolution also calls for addressing the misuse of antiterror laws against activists and reaffirms support for freedom of expression as a fundamental human right. It directly affects India’s government by requesting accountability for the circumstances surrounding Father Stan’s death, which forensic reports linked to fabricated evidence. The resolution does not create new laws but expresses the U.S. House’s position on human rights protections.