URGENT ACTION

DETENTION CONTINUES FOR OVER A HUNDRED PERSONS
Scores of people continue detained in Nicaragua after more than one year from the beginning of the human rights crisis. We urge the Nicaraguan authorities to immediately release and drop all charges to all those detained solely on the grounds of the exercise of their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
TAKE ACTION: WRITE AN APPEAL IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR USE THIS MODEL LETTER

Daniel Ortega Saavedra
President of Nicaragua
c/o Minister for Foreign Affairs
Del cine González 1 c. al Sur, 
sobre Avenida Bolivar, 
Managua, Nicaragua
nicaragua@oas.org / Twitter: @DenisCanciller

Dear President Ortega,

I write to express my concern about the continued persecution and criminalization strategy in Nicaragua since April 2018. After more than one year from the start of the human rights crisis, at least 120 people continue in detention, despite calls from the Human Rights Council and the OAS Permanent Council for their release, and the Nicaraguan government’s commitment to free them all by 18 June 2019.
I urge you to immediately release and drop all charges of all detained solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly since 18 April 2018. 

Yours sincerely,

Additional information

On 18 April 2018, after years of institutional decline in Nicaragua, protests broke out following the government’s attempt to implement unpopular and non-consulted social security reforms. These protests were met with violent repression. According to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the crisis has resulted in the deaths of 328 people, including 21 police officers and 24 children and adolescents, and more than 2,000 injuries. Moreover, civil society figures stablish that over 700 people have been arrested. Besides, 400 health professionals were dismissed; 144 students have been expelled from the public university; and over 90 journalists and media workers have been forced into exile. About 70,000 Nicaraguans have fled to neighbouring countries, 68,000 of them seeking refuge in Costa Rica, according to the UNHCR.

On 16 May 2019, Eddy Montes (57) a Nicaraguan and U.S. citizen, was shot dead at La Modelo prison in Managua. He and others who were injured were arrested for participating in the 2018 protests. An Amnesty Law was approved by the National Assembly of Nicaragua on 8 June 2019. 

AI’s report “Instilling terror” (https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr43/9213/2018/en/) concluded that one of the central plank of this repressive policy was the Nicaraguan state's persistent efforts to criminalize opponents, referring to anyone who protested the government as “terrorists” or “coup plotters” to justify its own violent actions.

Since then, protests have continued demanding substantial change to the status quo. More than one year after the beginning of the crackdown on protest, Amnesty International continues to receive reports of arbitrary detentions and torture of persons deprived of their liberty. Civil society organizations whose legal status was cancelled by the government (including the Nicaraguan Centre for Human Rights - CENIDH) remain unable to freely carry out their work in the country, and the harassment of journalists and human rights defenders continues. Attacks against freedom of expression and peaceful assembly indicate ongoing strategy to supress dissenting voices. 

PREFERRED LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS TARGET: Spanish
You can also write in your own language.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: 10 October 2019
Please check with the Amnesty office in your country if you wish to send appeals after the deadline.

 NAME AND PREFFERED PRONOUN: People in jail after more than a year of protests (They, them, theirs).

LINK TO PREVIOUS UA: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/AMR43/0514/2019/en/ 

Additional TARGETS

Francisco Javier Díaz Madriz.
National Police director
Metrocentro, 2 cuadras al Este, edificio Faustino Ruiz, Plaza del Sol, Managua, Nicaragua
relacionespublicas@policia.gob.ni    /    seguridadpublica@policia.gob.ni
Salutation: Dear Mr Director 

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.

HER EXCELLENCY GUISELL MORALES-ECHAVERRY Embassy of Nicaragua Suite 2 Vicarage House 58-60 Kensington Church Street W8 4DB Tel: 020 7938 2373 Fax: 020 7937 0952
embaniclondon@btconnect.com 

Please check with your section before sending appeals after the above date.