- English
- Español
Press Release
The SRFOE urges Nicaragua to cease persecution of the press and release all persons arbitrarily detained
19 de diciembre de 2024
Enlaces útiles
Datos de Contacto
Relatoría Especial para la Libertad de Expresión
Lista de distribución
Washington, D.C. – The Office of
the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE) of the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) urgently calls on Nicaragua to cease
persecution against the independent press and to immediately release all persons
arbitrarily detained, including journalists and communicators whose whereabouts
are still unknown, as well as to respect and guarantee the rights to freedom of
expression and of the press.
So far in 2024, the
Office of the Special Rapporteur has documented at least six cases of arbitrary
detentions of journalists in Nicaragua, including the recent detentions of Leo
Catalino Cárcamo (detained on November 23) and Elsbeth D'Anda (detained on
October 27). In addition, as noted by the Rapporteurship, there is still
uncertainty about the whereabouts of other detainees for whom the State has not
yet provided an account.
According to public
reports, between November 22 and December 6, 2024, at least 46 people, including
journalist Leo Catalino Cárcamo, were detained in Nicaragua in the context of a
new escalation of repression and the approval of a constitutional reform that
eliminates democratic checks and balances. Cárcamo, 78, was arrested when police
patrols broke into his home without a warrant. According to what this Office has
learned, the journalist, who had already been arrested in 2019 for his work in a
local radio station, is in a critical health situation and his whereabouts and
current conditions are unknown.
For his part,
journalist Elsbeth D'Anda was arbitrarily detained on October 27, 2024, after
addressing in his program La Cobertura, broadcast by Canal 23, issues related to
the prices of basic products and the deterioration of purchasing power in the
country. According to public information, at least 20 police agents broke into
his residence without a warrant, confiscated his electronic equipment and
transferred him to the Judicial Assistance Directorate, known as “El Chipote”.
To these cases must
be added the detention of other journalists, who, although they are not still
detained, were allegedly subject to arbitrary detentions during 2024, such as
Orlando Esquivel, detained in May and later released; Nohelia González, detained
on July 9 and forcibly banished; and Henry Briceño, detained during the November
raids and also forcibly banished.
In this regard, the
Office of the Special Rapporteur expresses its concern, in line with the IACHR,
about the conditions faced by persons arbitrarily detained in Nicaragua, who are
allegedly being subjected to “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by state
officials”, including beatings, electric shocks, prolonged isolation, sleep
deprivation, constant interrogation and restriction of access to sunlight.
It also stresses that
an independent and critical press is fundamental to democracy and the rule of
law. Attacks, harassment and intimidation against journalists affect not only
individual freedom of expression, but also society's right to access
information. The State of Nicaragua has the obligation to respect and guarantee
the full exercise of freedom of expression, including independent journalism.
This implies that the authorities refrain from unduly interfering with the right
to freedom of expression, so that journalists and the media can fulfill their
role and watchdog function in a democratic society and also create an
environment conducive to media freedom and ensure that press professionals can
exercise their work in a free and safe environment.
In view of the facts
described above, the Office of the Special Rapporteur reiterates its urgent call
to Nicaragua to immediately release all persons arbitrarily detained, including
journalists and communicators, for the exercise of their work. In addition, it
urges the State to provide information on their whereabouts and conditions of
detention, and to guarantee respect for their rights.
The Rapporteurship
also urges the State to comply with international standards on freedom of
expression and press freedom, and reaffirms its commitment to continue
monitoring the human rights situation in the country.
The Office of the
Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression is an office created by the
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to encourage the hemispheric
defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression, considering its
fundamental role in the consolidation and development of the democratic system.
No. R324/24
3:51 PM