A group of 38 MEPs demanded from the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo the immediate release of all political figures and the change of prison regimen to “home prison” for political prisoners aged 60 or over due to the serious deterioration in their health caused by of prolonged lockdown.
The demand of the European parliamentarians was sent to the dictatorship, through a letter, where they express their “concern about the deterioration and unacceptable situation of human rights in Nicaragua.”
“We are extremely concerned about the conditions of detention of political prisoners in Nicaragua, with reports of arbitrary arrests, harassment, inhuman and degrading treatment and conditions that in some cases amount to torture, in violation of international law (and) human rights », indicates the document sent to the dictator.
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“We are deeply shocked by the death on February 12, 2022 of Jorge Hugo Torres Jiménez, detained in El Chipote,” it adds.
conditions of detention
MEPs stress that the conditions of detention of all political prisoners must respect the minimum standard rules of the United Nations for the treatment of prisoners, known as the Mandela rules.
“We demand immediate medical attention and urge humanitarian action for all prisoners with serious health conditions. We demand the granting of house arrest to all people over 60 years of age. We make a call to guarantee decent conditions of detention”, they exhort.
They advocate for regular visits
In the letter sent to the Nicaraguan dictator, they also call for the creation of a calendar of family visits for political prisoners and for children to be able to see their mothers and fathers who are detained.
“We hear that minor sons and daughters have been restricted from any contact with their fathers and mothers, which is not acceptable and is a serious threat to their development. As a signatory state, Nicaragua is obliged to comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, they affirm.
“For the sake of human dignity and for a prosperous future for Nicaragua and its people, we urge you to comply with the human rights obligations that your country has signed,” they conclude.
