IACHR requests provisional measures to I/A Court H.R. in favor of student leader in Nicaragua

September 26, 2023

Washington, D.C. - On September 18, 2023, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) requested that the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (I/A Court H.R.) extend the provisional measures "Juan Sebastián Chamorro et al. regarding Nicaragua" in order to include JNSR, who is in a situation presenting extreme gravity and urgency of irreparable harm to his rights in Nicaragua.

JNSR is vice-president of the April 19 University Movement (MU19A), has been dedicated to supporting civic advocacy actions since 2018, and is identified as a "political prisoner." Since June 2023, he has had precautionary measures from the IACHR.

According to the information received, JNSR is being held in the National Penitentiary System of Tipitapa Jorge Navarro, known as "La Modelo." He is being held in unhealthy conditions, without medical attention and without access to sunlight, with interrogations in which he is being subjected to physical abuse, among other things.

Despite repeated actions by the Inter-American Commission to obtain information from the State of Nicaragua, no response has been received indicating the adoption of suitable and effective protection measures to address the risk identified.

Pursuant to Article 63(2) of the American Convention and Article 27 of the Rules of Procedure of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the Commission requested this Court to order the State of Nicaragua to immediately adopt the necessary measures to effectively protect the life, integrity, health and liberty of the person identified in Nicaragua, and to proceed to his immediate release, given the conditions in which he is currently being held.

Provisional measures are issued by the Inter-American Court in cases of extreme gravity and urgency to avoid irreparable harm to persons. They are binding on States, and the decisions contained therein require States to adopt specific actions to safeguard rights and/or protect the lives of persons who are at risk.

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 the observance and defense of 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.

No. 224/23

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