The Center for Inter-American Legal Assistance in Human Rights (Calidh) affirms that it “closely follows” the situation of the bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa, Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, who is being prosecuted for the alleged crimes of conspiracy to undermine integrity and propagation of false news to the detriment of the State and Nicaraguan society.
“We are following with concern the process against Monsignor Álvarez and other detained priests. We reiterate that the “exemplary punishment” they want to give and send to the rest of the clergy is religious persecution, a conduct prohibited by international law,” said Calidh’s defender and executive secretary, Danny Ramírez.
Related news: Ortega will use 16 witnesses to accuse Monsignor Rolando Álvarez
Monsignor Rolando Álvarez is one of the most critical voices against the dictatorship of Ortega and Murillo, the binomial that controls the strings of power in Nicaragua, a country mired in a sociopolitical, economic and human rights crisis since 2018.
On January 10, the Sandinista regime took Monsignor Álvarez to the Managua Courts for an initial hearing, in which he admitted the accusation against him, maintained preventive detention, and sent him to trial for the aforementioned crimes. It was learned that the regime will use 16 witnesses against the religious leader.
Recently, Calidh also expressed its “deep” concern about the human rights situation in Nicaragua, because they believe that the outlook in 2023 could be worse. On January 31, Calidh will present the documentation of the violations of rights committed by the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
“As we crafted it, our team is deeply concerned about the speed with which rights have eroded over the past year. 2023 will be worse,” warned Ramírez.
For the entity, the release of political prisoners has been one of the main complaints, especially in 2022, when the regime intensified the hunt even against the relatives of opponents. Ramírez affirms that for this year the demands will focus on “freedom for political prisoners, an end to attacks against the Church, restoration of human rights and freedoms, return of exiles, truth and justice for those assassinated by the government.” of Nicaragua and reparation to their families”.
