The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged this Thursday the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo to cease the harassment against the Catholic Church, religious leaders and the media.
“OHCHR calls on the State to immediately cease the harassment and attacks against priests, parishioners and radio and TV stations of the Catholic Church,” the human rights organization demanded.
The Ortega dictatorship, through the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Post Office (Telcor), ordered the closure of eight Catholic stations on August 1, amid friction between the Executive and the Catholic Church.
He also ordered the removal of the local channel RB 3 “El Canal de la Zona Láctea” from the air, whose programming was broadcast through subscription television in Matagalpa, arguing that “it does not have authorization from this Regulatory Entity to operate as a channel. of local content.
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Likewise, the regime intensified the persecution and siege against Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa, who since August 3 the dictatorship imposed a police siege on his residence. This morning the prelate went out with the Blessed Sacrament to confront dozens of policemen who besiege the area surrounding the Curia.
“It is urgent to protect the physical integrity, religious freedom and freedom of expression of all people,” demanded the OHCHR for its part.
#Nicaragua @OHCHR calls on the State to immediately cease the harassment and attacks against priests, parishioners and radio and TV stations of the Catholic Church. It is urgent to protect the physical integrity, religious freedom and freedom of expression of all people.
— OHCHR (@OHCHR) August 4, 2022
international demand
The recent offensive by the Ortega regime has also been condemned by other human rights organizations and international officials, who have insisted that Ortega respect the freedoms of religion and expression in Nicaragua.
This Thursday the European Union condemned the “arbitrary closure” of seven Catholic radio stations managed by the Diocese of Matagalpa, Radio Vos and Canal RB3 de Río Blanco by the dictatorship. The block of countries considers that the regime’s actions constitute “another violation of freedom of expression and freedom of religion or beliefs.
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Likewise, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (RELE) condemned this Wednesday “the arbitrary closure” of the seven Catholic radio stations in Nicaragua, as well as the violent entry of police officers into a parish.
Meanwhile, the United States Undersecretary of State for the Western Hemisphere, Brian Nichols, condemned on Wednesday night the “brutal” attack carried out by the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo against the Catholic Church, the media and the religious community.
