Geneva (BLAZETRENDS).- The persecution of members of the Catholic Church has intensified in recent months in Nicaragua, as part of the deterioration of freedoms in the country and the increasing restrictions on civic space, the Office denounced this Wednesday. United Nations for Human Rights.
The UN deputy high commissioner for human rights, Nada Al-Nashif, denounced this situation and asked the Daniel Ortega regime to “stop its persecution against the Church and civil society” in an updated report on the situation in Nicaragua before the United Nations Human Rights Council.
In the report, which covers the period after the previous session of the Council dedicated to Nicaragua (from March 3 to the present), it is indicated that in the last months six members of the Church have been expelled from the country and another four were arrested.
Rolando Álvarez, symbol of the persecution
“The case of Bishop Rolando Álvarez is emblematic, currently serving a 26-year prison sentence despite the absence of a trial, in the La Modelo de Tipitapa prison,” recalled the deputy high commissioner.
Álvarez, bishop of Matagalpa, is detained “in conditions that violate human rights norms and standards, without being able to receive visits and with poor hygiene conditions,” denounced Al-Nashif.
The high commissioner added that at least three dioceses have had their accounts frozen after the National Police accused the Catholic institution of money laundering.
In addition, during the recent Holy Week celebrations, the police intimidated priests and participants in processions from at least four churches in the country, “which meant a de facto ban” on this type of religious demonstrations, which were canceled for a large part of the year. country for fear of reprisals.
These types of actions constitute a violation of the right to religious freedom in Nicaragua, affirmed Al-Nashif, who stressed that the restrictions on public space in the country, “combined with the increasing erosion of the rule of law, prevent the enjoyment of human rights, especially for dissident voices”.
The measures are not limited to the Church
In recent months, the country has suffered new waves of arrests of human rights defenders, political opponents, journalists or peasant activists, added the deputy high commissioner, who recalled, for example, the arrest of 63 people on May 3, 55 of them accused of crimes commonly used against opponents, such as the dissemination of false news.
Al-Nashif also denounced the attacks on Nicaraguan indigenous peoples, especially by settlers, such as the one that on March 11 caused the death of five people in the Mayangna Wilú community.
The deputy high commissioner also recalled Nicaragua’s lack of participation in the United Nations human rights mechanisms (her delegation, for example, did not participate in today’s dialogue on the country in the Council).
“I reiterate our call for the Nicaraguan authorities to reestablish a meaningful dialogue with our office and with the UN human rights mechanisms,” stressed Al-Nashif, who also called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of those arbitrarily detained by the regime. from Ortega.