A group of former Nicaraguan politicians received the “Defenders of Justice” (Champions of Justice) award on March 9 from the George Washington University in the United States.
The award to the also exiled politicians was given within the framework of the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Institute, who affirmed recognizing the value and dignity of the Nicaraguan opposition women.
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The ceremony was attended by the former hostages of the Ortega regime: María Esperanza Sánchez, Tamara Dávila, Karla Escobar, Nora Cuevas, Samanta Jirón, Julia Hernández, Evelyn Pinto, Nidia Barbosa, Karla Vega, Alejandra Pérez and Sandra Acevedo.
After receiving the award, the former María Esperanza Sánchez, originally from Matagalpa, told Article 66 that it was something “very great” to have been honored, “because when I was imprisoned the dictatorship always told me that I had been used and that they had deceived me, but today I show you that I was never used.”
She emphasized that it was emotional to represent each Nicaraguan woman who continues to be a victim of the abuses of the Ortega government. “It was a privilege that God gave me to be representing all the fighting women of Nicaragua,” she said.
“I dedicate this award to the Nicaraguan woman, to my daughters and my sisters and I tell them that we are not alone, that we are going to keep going until we see our homeland free,” added Sánchez, 54 years old.
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Although the former politician did not expect to receive this award, she assures that she knew that in “some part of the world” there was a woman, a man, journalists who were aware of all the political prisoners.
For her part, the human rights defender and released politician Evelyn Pinto She expressed that she was proud to have shared the stage and received the award together with other women who were also victims of the Nicaraguan regime.
“This is a recognition of the struggle of all the women of Nicaragua, and we receive it with great affection and appreciation, because after having received so much bad news and difficult situations last year, and now seeing myself released along with my other colleagues is really a reason for great joy ».
“This recognition also commits us to continue fighting for the defense of justice,” said the 63-year-old opposition member, who was accused by the Nicaraguan justice of alleged conspiracy against the homeland.
“None of us had to be imprisoned”
Regarding the confinement that she suffered since November 6, 2021, Pinto said that neither she nor any of the women kidnapped by the Ortega Police had to be imprisoned.
“We were all victims of a colossal injustice because going to jail for four photographs mounted and created by them -the Nicaraguan regime- does not deserve any type of jail,” she stressed.
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She insisted that for thinking differently and being a defender of human rights in Nicaragua she never had to be imprisoned, “but despite the hard and difficult confinement, this strengthened us spiritually and mentally; now we are stronger, more capable, clearer and wiser in knowing what we want for Nicaragua.”
“Without agreeing, all of us – the former politicians – have said that we got out of prison without rancor, without resentment, or with a desire for revenge or with anything that is going to hurt us in the future, what we really want is a Nicaragua free and democratic for everyone, and for that we are going to continue fighting,” he concluded.
Most of the Nicaraguans now declared stateless by order of the dictator Daniel Ortega spent more than three years kidnapped in the country’s jails accused of common crimes or alleged treason.
The “Defenders of Justice” award is the first recognition that former political opponents receive upon their release from prison, which was delivered within the framework of International Women’s Day.
