- Brooklyn Rivera named prisoner of conscience
Amnesty International today classified Miskito indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera as a prisoner of conscience and called on Nicaraguan authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally. Meanwhile, the organization issued a public statement continuing to condemn the repressive pattern of Daniel Ortega’s government that has plunged Nicaragua into an unprecedented human rights crisis that continues to deepen six years later.
“Nicaragua’s repression leaves no one safe,” said Anna Pickel, Amnesty International’s Americas director. “From indigenous leaders, journalists, human rights defenders to anyone seen as a threat to government policies, the authorities Continuing to entrench a climate of fear, dissidents are punished with imprisonment, exile or disappearance.”
The case of Miskito Indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera, who was declared a prisoner of conscience today by Amnesty International, illustrates this systemic repression. In April 2023, authorities denied him entry after denouncing the situation of indigenous peoples in international forums. After entering the country through other channels, he appealed for the right of free movement recognized by transnational Aboriginal people. In September of that year, he was arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared for 14 months. Finally, in November 2024, the Nicaraguan authorities admitted at the United Nations Universal Periodic Review meeting that they had detained Brooklyn Rivera, charging him with treason, breach of national integrity, and conspiracy.
Exercising his rights and opposing government policies made him a target of the repressive machinery. His case reflects how the authorities persist in a policy of intolerance and punishment of any critical voice.
Ana Piquer, Amnesty International Americas Director.
Brooklyn Rivera is among hundreds of people who have been unjustly imprisoned in Nicaragua over the past six years for exercising their rights. “By declaring him a prisoner of conscience, we reaffirm that no one should be deprived of their liberty for defending their rights. This title is a recognition of the dozens of people who remain deprived of their liberty or disappear for peacefully exercising their rights, and also Recognition of all those who, after being forced into exile, continue to resist and fight for a country that respects and protects human rights.
On the other hand, the organization noted in its statement that against the backdrop of Nicaraguan repression and closure of civil space, authorities continue to implement and refine repressive tactics that have escalated since Nicaragua used lethal force against protesters. the nationality of the dissident. Although these people were released in 2023 and 2024, many people are still deprived of their freedom for political reasons or simply for expressing opinions contrary to the government. Harassment, harassment and abuse of criminal laws that initially targeted protesters, activists, political opponents, journalists, human rights defenders and indigenous leaders have now spread throughout society, affecting anyone seen as posing a threat to national policy or people.
Amnesty International once again urges the Nicaraguan government to immediately end all repression, pledge to respect the human rights of all people, and stop criminalizing dissent.
The organization demands the immediate and unconditional release of Brooklyn Rivera and all those arbitrarily detained for exercising their rights. Urges an end to the practice of arbitrary deprivation of nationality and the full restoration of the rights of those deprived of their nationality. Furthermore, it advocates that authorities provide clear information and access to families of missing persons, ensuring that they have regular contact and adhere to minimum standards for the treatment of detainees.
Likewise, Amnesty International calls on the international community to continue to closely monitor the crisis in Nicaragua through international mechanisms that protect human rights, welcome and protect displaced and deported people, guarantee humanitarian assistance and promote family reunification. The organization also urges States to activate universal jurisdiction to investigate and, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, prosecute all persons suspected of individual criminal responsibility for possible crimes against humanity, thereby sending a strong message that impunity will not be tolerated .
Anna Pickel concluded: “States cannot remain indifferent to the inhumane tactics implemented by the governments of Ortega and Murillo for more than six years.”
It is crucial that the international community takes concrete, effective measures and acts in a coordinated manner to end this mechanism of repression and guarantee access to justice and compensation for its thousands of victims.
Ana Piquer, Amnesty International Americas Director.
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Amnesty International’s designation of prisoner of conscience status is based on information available to Amnesty International about the circumstances leading to the person’s arrest. When Amnesty International names someone a prisoner of conscience, it affirms that the person should be released immediately and unconditionally, but it does not endorse their past or present views or actions.
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