The IACHR added Nicaragua to the blacklist of human rights violations with Cuba and Venezuela

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) added to the black list of human rights violations in Nicaragua, according to its annual report presented Thursday, after a group of experts denounced in December that in the crackdown on protests against Daniel Ortega's regime crimes against humanity have been committed.

"The IACHR followed with particular attention the progressive deterioration of the human rights situation in Nicaraguaespecially since the beginning of the violence that took place on 18 April 2018 as part of the repression of demonstrations by the state, "said the IACHR.

In the report of this autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS), the dictatorships of Cuba and Venezuela repeat in the section on states that deny respect for human rights.

The wave of protests that began as a move against a social security reform has resulted in a wider protest moment against the Sandinista regime he was severely repressed with a death toll of 325 dead, 2,000 injured and 52,000 exiles, according to human rights organizations.

Highlighted IACHR "excessive and arbitrary use of police force, the use of para-police groups or shock groups with the agreement and tolerance of state authorities".

He also denounced the protesters' obstruction of medical care, the arbitrary arrest of young people who took part in demonstrations, stigmatization campaigns, censorship measures and threats to the leaders of the protesters. social movements.

The IACHR also emphasized the "lack of diligence at the beginning of the murder investigations".

In June, the IACHR articulated the Special Follow-up Mechanism for Nicaragua (MESENI) with the aim of closely monitoring the human rights situation on the ground, and announced the establishment of the Inter-Disciplinary Group for the Protection of Human Rights. Independent Experts (GIEI), in charge of supporting death investigations.

In the final report, the GIEI indicated that between April 18 and May 30, 2018, in Nicaragua "acts were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population which, in accordance with international law, must be considered as a crime against humanity".

Aggravation in Venezuela

With regard to Venezuela, the Commission noted that in 2018 "the persistent structural situations that affect the human rights of the Venezuelan population have worsened and which resulted in a serious political, social and economic crisis ".

For the IACHR, "there is no rule of law".

The Commission said that the development of the May presidential elections and the prolongation of the emergency situation further aggravated the already critical institutional situation. denounced "the absence of effective separation, independence and balance of powers of the State".

He also noted that "there were new and serious episodes of attacks, persecution and imprisonment of opposition politicians, dissidents, journalists and protesters", among others.

The IACHR reported that They continue to record "deaths during social events, in a context of militarization of security".

In addition, the entity said that the serious crisis affecting Venezuela, characterized by shortages and shortages, caused mbadive displacement of migrants and refugees from the country.

The IACHR asked the State of Venezuela who cancels his decision to withdraw from the OAS and to adhere to the American Convention on Human Rights.

Persistence of violations in Cuba

In 2018, the IACHR observed in Cuba the persistence of violations of the right to liberty, security, protection against arbitrary detention, and minimum judicial guarantees are the objects of human rights defenders, political and social leaders, and journalists.

The IACHR cited the opinion of the OAS General Secretariat that "The election of President Diaz-Canel is an" illegitimate transition ", calling his system of government a" dictatorship "."

In one section, the entity expressed concern "for maintaining the death penalty as a sanction in a significant number of criminal offenses in Cuba".

With regard to freedom of expression, the Commission denounced the fact that "Cuba has not experienced any substantial changes" and has continued the crackdown ".

The IACHR reported that interrogations and harbadment of female journalists perpetrated by male agents had been recorded. The case of Adriana Zamora, who was threatened in February while pregnant, was particularly noticeable.

"Anything can happen in the delivery room, they give you the wrong medicine and you stay there," they told him during the summons.

The IACHR reiterated in the report its interest in making its first "in loco" visit to Cuba, initiate a process and a dialogue with the Cuban State.

The documents that the IACHR published on the three cases: