started · updated
Nicaragua: Human rights groups report 23 opponents in forced disappearance
Human rights organizations have reported significant ongoing repression in Nicaragua. The Colectivo de Derechos Humanos para la Memoria Histórica de Nicaragua stated that at least 23 opponents or critics of the government led by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo remain in a state of forced disappearance.
The organization noted that since the anti-government protests in April 2018, state repression has resulted in at least 355 deaths caused by police, soldiers, or para-state groups. Currently, the Mechanism for the Recognition of Political Prisoners in Nicaragua records at least 60 political prisoners, 23 of whom are in forced disappearance. One recent case involves 64-year-old Ricardo José Mendoza Irigoyen, who was detained in January and whose whereabouts remain unknown.
In a separate instance of detention, Catholic Bishop Juan Abelardo Mata, a critic of the government, was held incommunicado for over 40 days. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) requested emergency action from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to protect Mata and four associates due to extreme risks of harm. Although Mata recently appeared in a televised interview, critics described the appearance as a staged event.
Entities
Colectivo de Derechos Humanos para la Memoria Histórica de Nicaragua · Daniel Ortega · Inter-American Commission on Human Rights · Juan Abelardo Mata · Rosario Murillo
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The IACHR requested emergency protection for Bishop Mata and four associates from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. amac.us
- [DISPUTED] There are at least 60 political prisoners registered in Nicaragua, with 23 of them in forced disappearance. contextohn.com · www.lavozdemichoacan.com.mx
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ricardo José Mendoza Irigoyen, 64, was arbitrarily detained on January 23 and remains missing. contextohn.com · www.lavozdemichoacan.com.mx
- [● 2 SOURCES] State repression since April 2018 has resulted in at least 355 Nicaraguans being killed by police, soldiers, or para-state groups. contextohn.com · www.lavozdemichoacan.com.mx
- [DISPUTED] At least 23 opponents or critics of the Nicaraguan government are currently in a state of forced disappearance. contextohn.com · www.lavozdemichoacan.com.mx
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Nicaraguan government uses forced disappearance as a mechanism for persecution and control against perceived opponents. contextohn.com · www.lavozdemichoacan.com.mx
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reported that Bishop Juan Abelardo Mata was held incommunicado. amac.us