Within the framework of its 27th anniversary of foundation, the Renovating Democratic Union (Unamos) launched the “Empty Chairs” campaign to demand the release of all political prisoners of the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. Luis Blandón, spokesman for Unamos, explained to Article 66 which is also a “homage of empty chairs for our colleagues who today are hostages of the dictatorship.”
Unamos has its president Suyen Barahona and another series of directors and members of the political group in prison. Hugo Torres Jiménez, the political prisoner who died in police custody, was also a member of the opposition group. He held the Vice Presidency of the Board of Directors.
“We remind you with great appreciation for your commitment you are making to rebuild a beautiful Nicaragua. We are going to continue fighting for their freedom and for all the political prisoners in Nicaragua. This campaign aims to make visible all our leaders who are in the jails of the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship,” said Blandón.
He stated that the campaign “is a symbolism that we launched on our anniversary, making it known that they are part of this great orange family, where we are waiting for them and at the same time raising our voices so that they are released because they have not committed any crime.”
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“This aims to make visible all the torture that happens in El Chipote, the incommunicado detention they suffer. Our president and other directors are kidnapped. We are going to continue demanding their unconditional freedom throughout this process to build a Nicaragua in freedom, democracy, and justice,” she assured.
Ana Margarita Vijil, Tamara Dávila, Víctor Hugo Tinoco, Muammar Vado, Dora María Téllez and Yader Parajón are some of the members of Unamos who have been in prison for almost a year. All were charged and sentenced to several years in prison for the alleged crime of “undermining national integrity” under Law 1055, the Sovereignty Law.