This joint statement of dissident Nicaraguan organizations both inside the country and in exile were motivated by the inflammatory statements made by the Chief of the Nicaraguan Army, General Julio Cesar Aviles, on the 44th anniversary of the Sandinista Army, where he used language that Rosario Murillo is known for, calling independent journalists “parasites”, and “mercenaries”. They call on the international community to take actions to pressure the Army to stop the repression and investigate its human rights abuses.
Sanctions on the Army are imperative to undermine the repression in Nicaragua
September 13, 2023 – We the organizations of the democratic opposition in Nicaragua and in exile, members of the Platform for Unity for Democracy (PUDE), write to all international organizations and governments with a democratic vocation and committed to the defense of human rights, in order to ask that you contribute to the punishment of one of the repressive arms of the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship, the Ortega Army.
We write you with deep concern and alarm due to the escalation of violence and repression which is happening in the country, where we want to highlight the complicity of the Army, especially that of its highest officials. The aggressiveness of the armed and security forces has reached the extreme of threatening in an explicit way the general citizenry, dissidents, independent communications media, and ecclesiastical authorities.
We have received credible reports and evidence that indicates the participation of the institution of the army in serious human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions, torture, abuse and forced disappearances, among other atrocious acts.
It is imperative that the international community act in an immediate and decisive way to put an end to this inacceptable situation. Therefore, we call for imposing sanctions on the Army, its enterprises, and all those responsible for the repression against the population. These measures are crucial to send a clear message that the violence and the violation of human rights are not acceptable, and much less tolerated in the Americas.
We exhort all countries and organizations to unite around this cause and to take immediate measures to ensure justice and the protection of human rights in Nicaragua. In addition, we urge that an exhaustive and impartial investigation be carried out to bring to justice those guilty of these crimes. Impunity should not have a place under any circumstance.
Time is of the essence, and we cannot allow the violence and suffering in Nicaragua to continue. The Nicaraguan population deserves to live in peace and freedom.
Signatory organizations:
