UN Reveals Nicaraguan Army’s Complicity in Human Rights Abuses During 2018 Protests
The UN has presented new evidence implicating the Nicaraguan army in crimes against humanity during social protests in 2018. The report contradicts the military’s claims of non-involvement and reveals their coordination with police forces in aggressive actions against protesters. Key findings indicate a systematic effort to repress dissent, leading to a significant loss of life and violation of human rights.
The United Nations group investigating the Nicaraguan government has revealed significant evidence implicating the Nicaraguan army in human rights abuses during social protests in 2018. This development challenges the army’s long-standing denial of involvement in the regime’s violent repression, which resulted in over 350 fatalities. The UN experts now provide credible assertions regarding the military’s collaboration with police and paramilitary groups in the aggressive crackdown on dissent.
The recent report emphasizes that the military’s high command actively participated in the government-authorized offensives against demonstrators. It details a meeting involving top military officials shortly after the protests began, where they were instructed to view the unrest as an insurrection. Orders came directly from President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo to suppress the protests, leading to widespread violence.
The report highlights military actions, including the deployment of lethal weapons and snipers, amidst coordinated efforts with police. Testimonies from insiders indicate that the army played a central role in orchestrating crimes against humanity, contrary to their public claims of non-involvement. The military’s disregard for its lack of jurisdiction in public security matters compounded the loss of lives during the protests.
Documents suggest that military personnel utilized special operations tactics and developed intelligence operations to target protesters. Units engaged in collaborative efforts with police forces, effectively converting peaceful protests into a violent confrontation. The evidence points to a premeditated strategy aimed at instilling fear and suppressing dissent rather than merely maintaining public order.
Despite public declarations of protecting assets, the Nicaraguan army’s complicity has become increasingly apparent, as it continues to align closely with the Ortega-Murillo regime. The recent swearing-in of General Julio César Avilés illustrates the army’s commitment to supporting the government while denying any wrongdoing. Furthermore, the UN report exposes an extensive surveillance network that targets opposition members and violates their rights.
In summary, the UN findings expose the direct involvement of the Nicaraguan army in the nation’s political repression. With assertions of a systematic assault on human rights, the evidence calls into question the army’s self-portrayal as a neutral entity. These developments are crucial as they advance international accountability for actions against human rights violators under the current regime.
The UN report provides compelling evidence of the Nicaraguan army’s significant role in the repression of protests against the Ortega regime in 2018. Despite the military’s prior assertions of non-involvement, credible testimony reveals their active participation in violent actions and a focus on silencing dissent. This evidence highlights a need for accountability regarding the army’s collaboration with government forces in perpetrating crimes against humanity.
Original Source: english.elpais.com
