Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, Nicaraguan bishop of Matagalpa, received precautionary measures from the IACHR regarding his detention and arbitrary trial
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) reported on Friday, April 14, that precautionary protection measures were granted in favor of the bishop of the diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, Monsignor Rolando Álvarez; who is imprisoned in his country.
Through a Press release of the OAS, the IACHR granted these measures to Monsignor Álvarez considering that he is in a “serious and urgent situation of risk of irreparable damage to his rights” in Nicaragua.
Those who requested the precautionary measures in favor of the religious emphasize that he is currently detained in the prison known as “La Modelo” in Managua, denouncing that he is incommunicado and that no information is offered about his state of health; if he receives medical attention and what are his prison conditions.
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In this sense, the IACHR demands that Nicaragua adopt the corresponding measures to guarantee the life of Monsignor Álvarez and so that the conditions in which he is being held are in accordance with international standards.
Bishop Rolando Álvarez, 56, is one of the most critical of Nicaragua and had important functions within the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua (CEN). On August 19, 2022, after being barricaded in a temple, he was forcibly removed by security agencies and sent, first, home to jail.
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He was held responsible by the authorities for “destabilizing and provocative activities”, carrying out “acts of hate” and “destabilizing the State”; Likewise, in public statements, Vice President Rosario Murillo, Ortega’s wife, accused him of committing “crimes against spirituality” due to his denunciation and opposition to the confiscation and closure of seven radio stations in the Diocese of Matagalpa.
That day, the IACHR He asked the government of Daniel Ortega for his release, as well as that of other detainees.
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On February 9, 2023, when the Nicaraguan government sent 222 people into exile, Monsignor Álvarez refused to leave the country, for which reason he was subjected to an abbreviated trial. The sentence that was handed down, in addition to treason, considered the charges of conspiracy to destabilize the country, propagation of false news, aggravated obstruction of functions and contempt of the authorities. He was sentenced to 26 years and four months in jail.
days later, the March 25th, photos and a video of the imprisoned bishop of Matagalpa, Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, were released for the first time. The images were taken during a meeting between the prelate and his relatives in the “La Modelo” prison.
Nicaragua unilaterally left the OAS in April 2022. However, it must wait two years for the process to become effective, as happened with Venezuela. The IACHR is part of the Organization of American States.
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