May 23, 2026
Washington, D.C. — Mr. Matthew Aaron VanDyke, a United States citizen and award-winning
filmmaker presently detained at Tihar Jail, 8/9 since April 6th in New Delhi is in urgent need of
US diplomatic intervention as his health has deteriorated since his transfer from NIA
headquarters with an injured leg, diminished eyesight, denied protein as prescribed, and calls with
family which are all detainee rights, as is legally required under Indian law.
Matthew has been on a hunger strike since May 6th as verified by his legal counsel and the US
Embassy. Matthew was provided with IV fluids over the past weekend, is being monitored by the
jail’s Dr., counselor, and has stated he will continue the hunger strike to address his
detention-treatment until Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses his detention during his
upcoming visit to Delhi, India May 24-26 and advocates to secure his immediate release as requested by his family.
The U.S. Embassy was denied access to attend the hearing on May 6th under section 17 of the
NIA Act of 2008 (which deals with the confidentiality of proceedings). The same day Matthew
VanDyke began a full hunger strike. The U.S. Embassy was also denied visitation with Matthew
during the ongoing hunger strike yesterday May 22, 2026. His attorneys have stated his health is
visibly declining.
The legal counsel previously applied at the Delhi Court for Matthew’s medical treatment in a private
hospital, and for proper communication to be established with his family who reside in the
United States, and who until today had not spoken with him since mid March, 2026 until this
morning. His mother was allowed a 5 min emergency call with him however the Delhi Court
stated they would not hear the petitions to these requests until June 1st.
“This is a humanitarian emergency for our family,” his mother said. “Matthew has spent his life
documenting human suffering and supporting people in crisis. We are pleading for his safe
return home.”
The family emphasizes that this is an urgent humanitarian request for Matthew to immediately
receive appropriate medical attention, that his rights be protected, and that the U.S.
government immediately take diplomatic measures to protect his rights and bring Matthew
VanDyke
India has yet to sign the UN Geneva Conventions agreement against torture. A recent report was released and published by The People’s Union for Civil Liberties on May 9th, Consultation on Custodial Torture in India which highlihghts the urgency for Matthew VanDyke and all detained Americans in India.
I submited a query to the State Department ahead of Sec Rubio visit to Delhi, “Is American Matthew VanDyke detained at Tihar jail on Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s agenda. Furthermore… is Sec of State Rubio aware that Matthew VanDyke has been on an ongoing hunger strike since May 6th. The family and I are in communication with the US Embassy in Delhi, India who assured us that the Ambassador to India Sergio Gor had received our letter and that he had raised the case to Secretary Misri. We also spoke to Senator Van Hollen staff who also assured us they would communicate with the State Department so that the Secretary of State would be briefed ahead of his trip, and/or would be briefed once in Delhi. The family demands action to free Matthew VanDyke and bring him back home to the United States.
