The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh) demanded that Daniel Ortega’s regime provide answers about the whereabouts and status of Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, under house arrest. He also asked for explanations for the priests, seminarians and the cameraman who, according to reports, are kidnapped in the cells of the Directorate of Judicial Assistance in Managua, known as “El Nuevo Chipote.”
“The Ortega-Murillo regime is not going to divert our attention, we keep asking, where is Monsignor Rolando Álvarez? For 12 days we have no proof that he is in his parents’ house », refers the human rights organization that demands the freedom of the religious as well as the rest of the political prisoners.
Related news: Monsignor Rolando Álvarez is serving a week under house arrest
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) recently pointed out that these acts of the dictatorship are part of a systematic context of persecution, criminalization, harassment, police siege and stigmatizing statements by the highest authorities of the State. According to the organization, this is a product of the critical role of the Church in denouncing the human rights violations that occurred in the context of the crisis in the country and for having mediated a national dialogue in 2018.
After 15 days under police siege and held in the Episcopal Curia of Matagalpa since August 4, the Police, under the orders of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, stormed the Episcopal Curia of Matagalpa to kidnap Monsignor Rolando Álvarez Lagos, Bishop of the Diocese of that city.
The Facebook page of the Diocese of Matagalpa confirmed that police officers broke into the episcopal see at three in the morning on Friday, August 19. Monsignor Álvarez, five priests, a deacon, two seminarians and a layman were present at the site.
Related news: IACHR urges the regime to release Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, priests and laity
Monsignor Álvarez was accompanied by the first and second vicar of the Cathedral of San Pedro, from Matagalpa, José Luis Díaz and Sadiel Eugarrios, respectively; as well as the priests Óscar Escoto—parish priest of the Santa María de Guadalupe church—, Ramiro Tijerino—rector of the Juan Pablo II University—and Father Raúl González.
The Catholic Church has been the target of attacks by the regime after mediating a failed national dialogue. Her prophetic voice and support for the people has led her to suffer threats, desecration of temples, persecution of her priests and bishops, and the forced exile of some members of the clergy.
