Today, 10 November, met nine months since the dictatorial regime
which leads to Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua condemned the bishop Rolando Álvarez to 26 years in prison. We must not forget that on the 9th of February this year, the Ortega-Murillo were expelled from the country 222 political prisoners, accusing them of “treason” and stripping them of nicaraguan nationality. The bishop Álvarez also offered him that “option,” a term used by the civil-military dictatorship in Argentina in order to disguise the exile, but he rejected it categorically refusing to board the plane.
As retaliation for that show of dignity and courage, the next day, in a
trial spurious without any legal guarantee and accused of treason,
bishop Álvarez was sentenced to 26 years in prison and stripped of their nationality, by suspending their rights as citizens for life. He was detained in the prison known as “The Model”, where for a long time was confined in a maximum security cell known as “El Infiernillo”. Since that time the bishop has been the victim of all kinds of abuse and has suffered prolonged periods of isolation.
The hatred of the regime against the bishop was increased when in the year 2018,
Alvarez was part of the team of the Episcopal Conference, who worked as a witness and mediator in the first National Dialogue between the regime of Daniel Ortega and the opposition. In those days, that Nicaragua was crossed by a rebellion civic that had shocked the country, with protests demanding the resignation of Ortega. However, the couple ruler used the dialog to save time and order a bloody crackdown that left 355 fatalities, according to reports of the inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
Without a doubt, the situation remains severe in Nicaragua. More than 300 opponents
of the regime have been declared “traitors to the motherland” and stripped of their nationality, being disqualified in perpetuity for positions of popular election. In addition, they have confiscated their property, and their savings, and they have removed the pension to the pensioners.
From our commitment to democracy, peace and the utmost respect for the
human rights, we have the duty to report these crimes and, from where we are, to stand in solidarity actively with the nicaraguan people.
Descargá the full statement by clicking here:
He wanted to give his testimony and did not accept the exile.pdf
