Arrupe Observatory for Human Rights se pronuncia sobre situación en Nicaragua

January 20, 2020 Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House of Representatives 12th District Representative California State Washington D.C., 20515 Dear Madam Pelosi, We write to you as concerned constituents and shocked witnesses of the severe and increasing human rights abuses directed towards the Catholic community in Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan people. We seek your assistance in bringing greater attention to these atrocities. We also seek United States government condemnation of them.

The University of San Francisco is an institution of Higher Education entrusted to the Society of Jesus in the United States, and is part of a network of 200 Jesuit universities in the world, which shares the call to collaborate in the search for truth, justice and reconciliation, in order to lift up the most vulnerable in society.

We, therefore, express our deepest concerns about the ongoing and increasing acts of violence and repression experienced by the Nicaraguan society since April 2018, which have resulted in in more than 300 people killed, more than 2,000 Nicaraguans injured and more than 700 political prisoners, of which more than 150 remain in prison. As members of an international educational community, we join the statement issued by the Conference of Jesuit Provincials of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Central American Province of the Society of Jesus, the Association of Universities entrusted to the Society of Jesus in Latin America, to demand that the Government of Nicaragua respect unrestricted human rights, as well as civil rights enshrined in the constitution of Nicaragua.

Here we document some of the recent actions taken by Nicaraguan government actors and supporters of the Ortega administration that confirm our state of concern: Disappearance of opposition militants Harsh repression of peaceful protests Accusation of their opponents of crimes not committed Impediment of religious freedom and assembly rights Impediment of humanitarian work and acts of peaceful civil disobedience

In particular the Jesuit University in Nicaragua – Universidad Centroamericana en Nicaragua – has been the center of increasing hostilities directed at its staff, students and leadership, mostly because of the critical positions taken by the University. The University has faced threats and constant military presence outside its campus. We are truly concerned about the safety of Fr. José Alberto Idiáquez, S.J., president of the institution.

We seek your assistance in bringing greater global attention to these human rights violations, and Unites States government condemnation of them, including: - Formal hearings in the appropriate House committee on the Nicaraguan crisis - A formal House resolution condemning the Nicaraguan government’s actions - Letters from you to the US representatives at the Organization of American States (OAS) seeking increased pressure on the Nicaraguan government to cease these actions, including the activation of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The activation of this charter will also prevent the intervention of foreign powers that want to benefit at this time from the serious political crisis.

- Sanctions against leading Nicaraguan government officials, leaders of the Nicaraguan Armed Forces and their family members We appreciate your consideration of these requests, and your continued leadership.

Sincerely,

The Organizing Committee of the Arrupe Observatory for Human Rights University of San Francisco