Press Release from Relatives of Political Prisoners Abducted since May 2021

36 people were abducted by the State of Nicaragua since May 2021, mostly presidential candidates and opposition leaders. Often the State refused to provide information to their relatives about where they were held, denied habeas corpus petitions, and ignored orders for precautionary measures issued by the Interamerican Commission on Human Rights. After being allowed their first visit to their jailed relatives on August 31 and Sept 1, their family members issued this press release.

September 7, 2021

We, the relatives of political prisoners abducted since May 2021 and in a situation of forced disappearance until August 30, share with the people of Nicaragua and the international community that last week they finally received their delayed right to a visit, and we were able to confirm the following:

The physical deterioration of all which is translated into: accelerated and extreme weight loss (losing between 12-36 lbs), gastrointestinal illnesses due to the poor food which has taken them into a state of severe malnutrition, extreme pallor because many of them do not have access to the sun, and those who are allowed sun, it is only once a week. Some suffer pre-existing chronic illnesses and could develop new health ailments, which puts their lives at risk
They suffer extreme cold due to the low temperatures in their cells. They are not allowed bed linens, blankets or warm clothes.
The lights in the cell remain on 24 hours a day, in addition to being submitted to exhausting interrogations at any time without the presence of their lawyers, two and three times a day. This has them in a constant state of alert, denying them their right to rest.
Disorder in the administration of medicine. Those who suffer chronic illnesses cannot be sure about the medicines that they are given, because they are not named nor labeled, and overmedication has been able to be identified. The detention center has requested new medicines for those who did not need them before their arrest. Medical assessments have not been admitted which would allow knowing the real health conditions of those who are in jail.
They are in cells that do not meet international standards for keeping people incarcerated for long periods. They are small, with concrete beds and very thin mattresses, in some cases with inadequate hydro-sanitary installations, like holes in the floors instead of toilets.
They do not have access to reading material, nor any other activity that would connect them to the world, allow them to use their minds and remain lucid.
Some of our relatives were confined for two months in solitary cells, days prior to the visit they were changed into cells they share with other prisoners, where we assume that they will remain. The isolation under which some of these people remain causes alarm and concern. This situation is similar to that of the 28 political prisoners who are found in the maximum-security jails in conditions of isolation in the national penitentiary systems.

All of these extreme conditions to which our relatives are subjected constitute acts of torture. We have a deep concern that they can cause irreversible harm, physical as well as psychological. In spite of everything, all showed themselves to be resolute and strong in spirit, with the complete certainty of their innocence and hopes for justice and freedom soon.

Since last Thursday initial hearings began to be heard in judicial processes against our relatives, based on false arguments and no real evidence. In addition, they have changed the site of the hearings at the last minute, from the courts to the Judicial Auxiliary Office ”El Nuevo Chipote” in the bogus processes without legal basis to support them, in addition to not allowing the entrance of relatives to the hearings, even though the Constitution provides for it.

In view of this, we demand of the State of Nicaragua, the Judicial Branch and the Judicial Auxiliary Office, the following:

Immediate freedom without restrictions of political prisoners abducted since May 2021, as well as freedom for the more than 130 political prisoners who also are suffering many of these violations to their human rights. All are innocent of all the charges they are accused of by the Prosecutor´s office.
Frequent, periodic visits under conditions of privacy, without harassment of relatives and lawyers (including access of small children to communicate with their fathers/mothers). During the first visit we were recorded and photographed in an exaggerated way, above all in the first and last moments of the encounter, the most intimate and emotional of all which deserve respect and privacy.
That we relatives might be able to provide at least one meal a day to our relatives to ensure healthy, complete food aligned with their particular needs.
Immediate end to isolation and interrogations without the presence of their lawyers.
That they receive from us blankets, mattresses, and warm clothing to fight the cold that they feel every night.
Assurances of the delivery of packages. So they can manage in their cells food, drinks, clothing and personal care articles in an independent and autonomous manner.
Granting at least 20 minutes of sun per day and allow access to reading material.
Publicity about the trials, as well as the entrance of relatives and communications media to them.

We are deeply grateful for all the signs of support and solidarity that we have received in this moment of so much suffering and uncertainty.

We will continue with our collective demand for freedom and respect for the human rights of all our relatives, as well as guarantees of due process.

Freedom for all political prisoners!