Amnesty International today labeled Miskito indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera a prisoner of conscience and called on Nicaraguan authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally. The group also 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 has lasted six years.
“Repression in Nicaragua means no one is 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 , authorities continue to solidify a climate of fear in which dissent is punishable by imprisonment, exile, or disappearance.
Repression in Nicaragua means no one is safe. Authorities continue to entrench a climate of fear among indigenous leaders, journalists, human rights defenders, and anyone deemed a threat to government policies, in which dissent is punishable by imprisonment, exile, or disappearance .
Ana Piquer, Amnesty International Americas Director.
The case of Brooklyn Rivera, a Miskito indigenous leader now designated a prisoner of conscience 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 means in September of that year, he was arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared for 14 months based on the right of freedom of movement recognized by transnational indigenous peoples. In November 2024, during the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, Nicaraguan authorities finally admitted that they had detained Brooklyn Rivera on charges of treason, undermining national integrity and conspiracy.
“Exercising his rights and opposing government policies makes him a target of the repressive machine. His case illustrates how the authorities persist in a policy of intolerance and punishment of any critical voice,” explains Ana Piquer.
Brooklyn Rivera is one of hundreds of people 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 honors the many people who remain deprived of their liberty or are subjected to enforced disappearance for the peaceful exercise of their rights, and All those who continue to resist and fight for a country that respects and protects human rights while in forced exile.”
By declaring him a prisoner of conscience, we reaffirm that no one should be deprived of their liberty for defending their rights. This title honors the many people who remain deprived of their liberty or are subject to enforced disappearance for the peaceful exercise of their rights, as well as all those who continue to resist and fight for a country that respects and protects human rights while in forced exile.
Ana Piquer, Amnesty International Americas Director.
Furthermore, the organization noted in its statement that against the backdrop of Nicaraguan repression and closure of civil space, authorities continue to implement and streamline repressive strategies that have escalated from the use of lethal force against demonstrators in 2018 to the current arbitrary deprivation of those deemed dissident. the nationality of the person. Despite being released from prison in 2023 and 2024, many are still deprived of their liberty for political reasons or simply for expressing anti-government views. Harassment, intimidation and abuse of criminal laws that initially targeted protesters, activists, political opponents, journalists, human rights defenders and indigenous leaders have gradually spread throughout society, affecting anyone seen as posing a threat to official policy or the national narrative. people.
Amnesty International once again calls on the Nicaraguan government to immediately end all repression, respect the human rights of all people, and end the criminalization of dissent.
Amnesty International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Brooklyn Rivera and all those arbitrarily detained for exercising their rights. It urges an end to the practice of arbitrary denationalization and the full restoration of the rights of those whose nationality has been revoked. Furthermore, it advocates that authorities provide clear information and access to families of missing persons, ensure that they have regular contact with missing persons, and maintain minimum standards for the treatment of detainees.
Amnesty International also calls on the international community to closely monitor the crisis in Nicaragua through international human rights protection mechanisms, host and protect displaced and deported people, ensure their access to humanitarian assistance, and facilitate family reunification. The organization also urges states to initiate 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 guilt will not be tolerated Impunity.
“Countries cannot remain silent in the face of the inhumane tactics employed by the governments of Ortega and Murillo for more than six years,” Anna Pickel concluded. “The international community must take concrete, effective measures and act in a coordinated manner to end this mechanism of repression and guarantee justice and compensation for the thousands of victims.”
The international community must take concrete, effective measures and act 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.
Amnesty International’s designation as a prisoner of conscience is based on information it has about the circumstances that led to the person’s detention. Amnesty International designates someone as a prisoner of conscience, confirming that the person should be released immediately and unconditionally, but does not endorse their past or present views or actions.
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