We raise our voices in solidarity through this International Feminist Tribunal, to embrace the people of Nicaragua and in particular women and feminists who have been historic pioneers in demanding collective rights and denouncing injustice. It has been almost four years since the “April rebellion” in which unprecedented numbers of Nicaraguan citizens flooded the streets to claim democracy, justice and liberty for all.
Today we manifest our grave concern and indignation at the enforced captivity of Esperanza Sánchez, Karla Escobar, Julia Hernández, Cristiana Chamorro, Violeta Granera, Tamara Dávila, Suyén Barahona, Dora Mª Téllez, Ana Margarita Vijil, Fernanda Flores, María Oviedo, Nidia Barbosa, Evelyn Pinto and Samantha Jirón: 14 women among more than 170 people imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of thought, expression and assembly and for demanding justice.
We join multiple voices in denouncing the torture and inhumane conditions to which these women have been subjected. Esperanza, Julia and Karla were arbitrarily detained and condemned in 2020 to sentences of between 10 and 18 years in prison. Tamara, Ana Margarita, Dora María and Suyén have been kept in total isolation –continuous solitary confinement- for more than eight months. Just like all of those incarcerated they have lost a great deal of weight, and they remain in semi-darkness or in continuous artificial light for 24 hours, with no access to the outdoors or natural sunlight. They are not allowed any external communication or with each other, are prohibited from reading or writing, and are subjected to constant interrogations. Violeta has a serious dental infection for which she has received no medical attention and this has caused her to lose teeth. Their gender means they are exposed to other forms of abuse; the authorities have attempted to shame them for being separated from their children, they have received constant sexist verbal abuse and the latent threat of sexual violence is constant.
Their torture extends to their families and friends, with visits denied, extremely limited or under strict surveillance. No photos or letters from their children or their loved ones are allowed to reach them. Blankets sent to them for the cold at this time of year were only received for them by the authorities a couple of weeks ago. The children of all people imprisoned are also having their rights violated with the suffering and trauma caused by the abrupt absence of their parents’ embrace, affection and care.
The women political prisoners, their families and close friends are also dealing with anxiety and uncertainty due to the irreversible damage being done to their mental, emotional and physical health and with the constant risk of a fatal outcome to their incarceration, as has happened to Hugo Torres who died in prison due to the authorities’ abuse, beatings and refusal of medical attention.
We observe with alarm that instead of seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis and an end to the repression and abuse of power, the current Nicaraguan regime, whose legitimacy has been completely undermined by the fraudulent elections in November last year, is in fact increasing the repression and subjecting political prisoners to false judicial processes without any minimal legal or constitutional guarantees whatsoever. As women and organisations committed to upholding human rights, freedom of conscience and democracy we cannot be silent or remain indifferent.
We are contributing our support to this International Feminist Tribunal in demanding the Nicaraguan authorities do the following:
• The immediately release of the 14 women political prisoners along with all of the 170 people imprisoned for exercising their rights as citizens.
• While in prison all these political prisoners must be afforded the rights, according to international and national law, extended to all people deprived of liberty. And all inhuman forms of torture and abuse must end.
• Older political prisoners, especially those over 60 and those with chronic health problems if not freed, should immediately be given the cautionary measure of release into house arrest.
• The trials and sentences against them should be annulled as they lack any legality, were not made subject to constitutional guarantees, and aim to criminalise the rights to freedom of thought, expression and assembly and the right to demand justice.
We ask the international community to show empathy and keep up their energetic actions to support and accompany the Nicaraguan people in finding a peaceful outcome to the country’s painful socio-political economic and humanitarian crisis.
¡ VIVAS Y LIBRES LAS QUEREMOS !        WE WANT THEM ALIVE AND FREE!