IACHR condemned “serious escalation of repression” in Nicaragua and demanded that Daniel Ortega’s regime release political prisoners

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) denounced in a new report “the serious escalation of repression“In Nicaragua in the form of the arrest of candidates for public office, human rights defenders and independent journalists.

The IACHR thus declared its “firm condemnation“Due to the actions of the authorities”in the last days“With reference to the arrest of several opposition figures in view of the presidential elections of November 7, the last of them the former Minister of Education Humberto Belli.

The Commission referred to the ‘arrest and criminalization“Candidates Cristiana Chamorro Barrios, Arturo Cruz Sequeira, Félix Maradiaga and Juan Sebastián Chamorro García and he listed a series of leaders “and political leaders and human rights defenders” detained between 8 and 14 June.

“The IACHR urges the State of Nicaragua to end repression and, in particular, to release all persons arbitrarily deprived of their liberty“the international organization said in a statement.

These cases, with the exception of that of Cristiana Chamorro, are covered by alleged facts tending to “undermine independence, sovereignty and self-determination, incite foreign interference in internal affairs, demand military interventions, organize with funding from foreign powers to commit acts of terrorism and destabilization”.

In addition, the IACHR denounces the “disproportionate use of force“By the agents who carried out arrests and burglaries at their homes”without court order”.

Several of the detainees have not been known for more than ten days and they are said to be isolated and without the possibility of contacting their legal representatives.

“Since the start of the crisis in 2018, the human rights situation in the country continued to deteriorate, in a context of generalized impunity and prolonged violation of the rule of law ”, affirms the IACHR, which appears in at least 328 dead as a result of actions by security forces and more than 2,000 people injured.

There are over 100,000 people who have emigrated to other countries and over 1,600 people are illegally and arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, of which 124 remain deprived of their liberty.

The complete declaration of the IACHR

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its strong condemnation of the serious escalation of repression in Nicaragua in recent days. The IACHR urges the State of Nicaragua to end repression and, in particular, to release all persons arbitrarily deprived of their liberty.

On June 9, the IACHR condemned the recent and intensive escalation of repression against individuals and opposition organizations, human rights defenders and the independent press. In particular, the Commission condemned the detention and criminalization of Cristiana Chamorro Barrios, Arturo Cruz Sequeira, Félix Maradiaga, Juan Sebastián Chamorro García, who had made public their presidential candidacies, as part of the legislative elections scheduled for next November.

Likewise, the IACHR expressed its concern at the recent arrests and criminalizations of political leaders and human rights defenders that took place between June 8 and 14, Violeta Granera Padilla, José Adán Aguerri Chamorro, José Bernard Pallais Arana, Dora M Téllez , Ana Vijil, Suyen Barahone, Hugo Torres, Víctor Hugo Tinoco, Tamara Dávila, who also benefits from the provisional measures of the Commission. Likewise, we learned of the arrest of Luis Alberto Rivas Anduray, director of Banpro on June 15.

According to public information from the State, these cases, with the exception of that of Cristiana Chamorro, who is accused of alleged money laundering offenses, are the subject of an investigation within the framework of the “Law No. 1055 on the defense of the rights of peoples to independence, sovereignty and self-determination for peace“, For having committed acts alleged to” undermine independence, sovereignty and self-determination, incite foreign interference in internal affairs, request military interventions, organize with funding from foreign powers to commit acts of terrorism and destabilization, propose and manage economic activities, commercial and financial operations blockades against the country and its institutions, demand, exalt and applaud the imposition of sanctions against the State of Nicaragua and its citizens, and undermine the supreme interests of the nation ”.

On the other hand, through MESENI, The Commission received information and testimonies which indicate the disproportionate use of force by agents of the National Police at the time of the arrests.. In most cases, house searches have been indicated, allegedly, without a court order.

On the other hand, family members and civil society organizations have expressed concern about the lack of information on place of detention, and on his state of health. Among other cases, The IACHR warns that, since June 8, the whereabouts of Félix Maradiaga and Juan Sebastián Chamorro are unknown. Likewise, according to what has been reported, some of the relatives of those detained have visited the Chipote premises on a daily basis to verify the location of their relatives and, if necessary, to provide food and basic supplies.

The IACHR has been informed of the refusal to provide information by the authorities and even of the restriction and prevention of family members from providing food. In some cases, authorities have only allowed liquid food to enter, without confirming the eventual delivery of the same and without knowing if they are there. In this context, the information received on the state of health of José Pallais, who suffered decompensation and is in a delicate state, are particularly worrying.

According to the information received, the IACHR also notes that, The state would not guarantee those treated the right to adequate legal defense, as they do not have access to their lawyers and legal representatives, and the majority are held incommunicado.. Likewise, the IACHR has received information on the holding of “secret” hearings, without legal representation, held in premises other than the courts and tribunals of Managua. Likewise, the IACHR has learned of the ineffectiveness of the habeas corpus or personal exposure remedies presented.

Since the onset of the crisis in 2018, the human rights situation in the country has continued to deteriorate, in a context of widespread impunity and prolonged violation of the rule of law. To date, the state’s violent response has left at least 328 dead; more than 2,000 people injured; over 100,000 people who have migrated to other countries, most of them seeking international protection; more than 1,600 people deprived of their liberty, illegally and arbitrarily at different times of the crisis. According to the Mechanism for the Recognition of Political Prisoners, articulated by local civil society, to date, more than 124 people remain arbitrarily deprived of their liberty.

The Commission urges the Nicaraguan State to immediately end the persecution and arbitrary detention, and immediately release all those detained in the context of the crisis that began in 2018, to guarantee their personal integrity and security, and to restore guarantees of the full enjoyment of civil and political rights. The Committee observes the resolution (CP / RES 1175) adopted by the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States on June 15, 2021, which condemns the aforementioned intensification of repression and urges the State to adopt measures guaranteeing free elections and fair in the country, concluding that current conditions do not make them possible.

Finally, the IACHR reaffirms, as a regional body for the protection of human rights, its commitment to continue to monitor the situation in the country, in order to ensure the protection of the life and physical integrity of persons. , the defense of victims and the freedom of expression of the Nicaraguan people.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate derives from the Charter of the OAS and the American Convention on Human Rights. The mandate of the Inter-American Commission is to promote respect for and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on this issue. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity and do not represent their country of origin or residence.

(With information from Europa Press)

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