Nicaragua: NGOs denounce an authoritarian regime which "executes extrajudicially"
According to NGOs, Nicaraguan law enforcement and government-ordered paramilitary groups have "extrajudicially executed" more than 100 opponents.
Here, police officers in Managua, December 14, 2020. AFP - STR
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3 min
According to a report by the International Federation for Human Rights and the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights published Thursday, February 11, Nicaragua has been in an authoritarian regime since 2018. Human rights violations and the repression of the opposition even become systematic since the anti-government movement against President Daniel Ortega.
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In 2018, 328 people were killed in anti-government protests.
But among these, 113 were documented by
the report of the International Federation for Human Rights
(FIDH) and the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (CENIDH), as “
extrajudicial executions
”, according to FIDH.
"
We concluded that these were extrajudicial executions which constitute crimes against humanity
," explains Jimena Reyes, Director of the Americas of FIDH.
Those responsible for these 2018 assassinations are the same who today, in 2021, terrorize civil society and the opposition.
"
Because according to the two NGOs, 2018 was a turning point for the country.
An arsenal of laws
has since curtailed freedom of expression and hampered associations.
Between
arbitrary detentions
, kidnappings and refusal of medical assistance to the wounded, a climate of terror has been orchestrated at the highest level of the state, according to organizations.
And this with the support of the police and paramilitary groups.
For lawyer Vilma Nuñez, president of CENIDH, an organization that has not been authorized in Nicaragua
since 2018
, "
this responds to a plan that aims to control, neutralize and eliminate people considered to be
opposed to the regime
".
For both organizations, Nicaragua cannot get out of the current crisis if these crimes go unpunished.
They ask the international community not to close its eyes and to maintain the pressure on the government of Daniel Ortega, as the general elections of November 7, 2021 approach.
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To read also
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Nicaragua
Daniel Ortega
Human rights
NGO
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