UN: The persecution of the Catholic Church has intensified

Persecution of members Catholic Church has intensified in recent months in Nicaraguaas part of the deterioration of freedoms in the country and increasing restrictions on civil space, he condemned this Wednesday United Nations Office for Human Rights.

Deputy High Commissioner of the UN for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashifhe condemned this situation and asked the regime Daniel Ortega to “stop its persecution against the Church and civil society” in an update on the situation in Nicaragua before United Nations Human Rights Council.

The report, which covers the period after the previous session of the Council devoted to Nicaragua (from March 3 to today), states that in recent months six members of the Church have been expelled from the country and four more arrested.

“The case of the bishop is emblematic Rolando Alvarezhe is currently serving a 26-year prison sentence in prison even though he has not been tried Tipitapa model“, reminded the Deputy High Commissioner.

Álvarez, Bishop of Matagalpa, is being held “in conditions that violate human rights norms and standards, without the possibility of receiving visitors and in poor hygienic conditions,” condemned Al-Nashif.

The High Commissioner added that the accounts of at least three dioceses were frozen after the National Police accused the Catholic institution of money laundering.

In addition, during the recent celebration Easter Police intimidated priests and participants in processions from at least four churches in the country, “which meant a de facto ban” of this type of religious manifestation, which was canceled in most of the country due to fear of reprisals.

This procedure implies a violation of the right to religious freedom in Nicaragua, he confirmed. Al-Nashifwho pointed out that the restrictions on public space in the country, “combined with the increasing erosion of the rule of law, make it impossible to enjoy human rights, especially for dissident voices”.

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, of whom 55 were accused of crimes that are usually used against opponents, such as spreading fake news.

Al-Nashif He also condemned attacks on Nicaraguan indigenous peoples, particularly by settlers, such as the one that On March 11, it caused the death of five people in the community of Mayangna Wilú.

The Deputy High Commissioner also recalled Nicaragua’s non-participation in United Nations human rights mechanisms (for example, her delegation did not participate in today’s dialogue on the country in the Council).

“I repeat our call to the Nicaraguan authorities to re-establish meaningful dialogue with our office and UN human rights mechanisms,” Al-Nashif said, who also called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of those arbitrarily detained by the regime. from Ortega.