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.

H. Res. 561 is a non-binding resolution introduced in the House of Representatives of the 119th Congress. It honors Father Stanislaus Lourduswamy (Father Stan), a prominent Jesuit human rights activist who died in custody in India on July 5, 2021, and it calls for an independent investigation into his arrest, incarceration, and death. The resolution presents Father Stan’s life and work—particularly his advocacy for Adivasi (indigenous) rights, Dalit and other marginalized communities, land rights, and opposition to state and corporate actions affecting these groups—as a basis for urging accountability and reforms in India. It also references forensic findings and allegations of fabricated digital evidence connected to his case and related prosecutions. Beyond honoring Father Stan, the resolution asserts U.S. concerns about the mistreatment of human rights defenders, supports monitoring of minority communities in India, and promotes protections for freedom of expression. It also endorses, and encourages the continuation of, reforms to Indian anti-terror and sedition laws—specifically noting a recent top-court ruling to suspend a colonial-era sedition law and urging that suspension to become permanent. Overall, the resolution frames Father Stan’s case as part of a broader call for accountability, rule of law, and protection of civil liberties.