Three high-ranking members of the United States House of Representatives —Congress— condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the imprisonment of priests in Nicaragua, and demanded that US President Joe Biden “promptly and forcefully apply the Renacer Law” against the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
“We condemn Daniel Ortega’s latest attack on freedom of association, religion and conscience in the strongest possible terms. There is no excuse for the arbitrary and unlawful imprisonment of Catholic clergy,” said a statement signed by Democratic Representative Albio Sires and Republicans Mark Green and Michael McCaul.
“We demand that the regime immediately release Bishop Rolando Álvarez and his colleaguesas well as the almost 200 political prisoners who are being held in horrible and inhumane conditions,” the document adds.
Sires and Green are, respectively, chairman and ranking member of the Congressional Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, Migration and International Economic Policy, while McCaul is ranking member of the House Foreign Relations Committee.
“Monsignor Álvarez spoke in favor of electoral transparency and democratic reforms, recognizing that the first responsibility of a Government is with its people. He became a target of the regime for his fearless leadership on these issues, and we commend his continued work on behalf of the Nicaraguan people,” the statement details.
Álvarez, bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa and apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Estelí, is locked up under the figure of “home protection”, which does not exist in Nicaraguan legislation. Also, the regime held a “clandestine” hearing against seven people, including priests and laity, who remained kidnapped for more than 15 days together with the religious leader.
Apply the Reborn Law
The congressmen point out that “Daniel Ortega has robbed his people of fundamental rights: elect their elected leaders, participate in freedom of expression, and seek the advice of trusted religious leaders.”
“These actions are indefensible. We call on the Biden Administration to use all the tools at its disposal, including the fast and forceful application of the Renacer Lawto ensure the release of all political prisoners and protect human rights in Nicaragua”, the statement concludes.
The Renacer Law, approved in November 2021, tightens sanctions against regime officials, and empowers the US president to review Nicaragua’s participation in the Free Trade Agreement between the United States, the Dominican Republic and Central America (DR-Cafta).
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that The United States considers imprisonment “unacceptable” of opposition leaders, journalists and students in Nicaragua.
“There has been a dramatic deterioration in respect for democratic principles and human rights by the regime in Nicaragua, including the imprisonment of democratic leaders, members of the political opposition, students and journalists. The Biden and (Kamala) Harris Administration finds this unacceptable and condemns these actions,” said Jean-Pierre.
