IACHR adopts precautionary measures in favour of Jhovanny Alexander Tenorio Urbina, who is missing in Nicaragua

June 15, 2021

Washington, D.C.- On June 13, 2021, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) adopted Resolution 48/21, in which it granted precautionary measures in favour of Jhovanny Alexander Tenorio Urbina, after considering that he finds himself in a situation of serious and urgent risk of irreparable damage to his rights in Nicaragua.

According to the request, the beneficiary has been missing since May 2, 2021, when he was detained at the Hacienda La Aurora, in the municipality of Matagalpa, by four persons dressed in civilian clothes and armed, who identified themselves as police officers. Since then, his whereabouts or fate remain unknown. The Commission regrets not having received observations from the State, despite the fact that they were requested in accordance with Article 25.5 of the IACHR's Rules of Procedure.

Upon analyzing the submissions of fact and law furnished by the applicants, the Commission considers that the information presented shows prima facie that Mr. Tenorio Urbina is in a serious and urgent situation, given that his rights to life and personal integrity are at risk of irreparable harm. Consequently, the IACHR requests that Nicaragua: a) adopt the necessary measures to protect the rights to life and personal integrity of Jhovanny Alexander Tenorio Urbina. In particular, report whether the beneficiary is in the custody of the State and, where appropriate, the circumstances of his deprivation of liberty, or else, adopt the measures aimed at determining his whereabouts or fate; b) consult and agree upon the measures to be adopted with the beneficiary's representation; and c) implement the actions aimed at investigating the events that led to the granting of this precautionary measure, so as to prevent such events from reoccurring.

The granting of this precautionary measure and its adoption by the State does not constitute the prejudgment of any petition that may eventually be presented before the inter-American system alleging violations of the rights protected in the American Convention and other applicable instruments.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate derives from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR is composed of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 150/21