The Stream

Why are Nicaraguan protesters still being killed?

Anti-government demonstrations continue in deadliest protests since end of country’s civil war.

In the two months since Nicaraguans began calling for President Daniel Ortega to step down, parts of the country have descended into heavy violence while peace talks have yielded little progress for an end to the crisis.

Despite the Nicaraguan government’s pledge to stop the violence, protesters continue to be killed, human rights watchers say. Rights groups say police and paramilitary forces have contributed to clashes that have killed more than 200 people, while other protesters face arbitrary detentions and in some cases, disappearances. The government has reportedly agreed to allow an international taskforce to investigate the killings. Through a mediation process led by the Catholic Church, 15 protesters – mainly youths – were recently released from detention.

In this episode, we’ll look at the human rights situation in Nicaragua and prospects for a resolution to the crisis. What is the way forward for the nation? Join the conversation at 1930GMT.

 

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Manuel Rapalo, @Manuel_Rapalo

Freelance journalist

 

Camilo de Castro, @CamiloBelli

Human rights activist

 

Juan Sebastián Chamorro, @AlianzaCivicaNi

Spokesperson, Civic Alliance for Justice

 

Stephen Sefton

Writer, Tortilla con Sal Media Collective

 

Read more:
Nicaragua’s govt accused of ‘serious’ human rights violations – Al Jazeera 
Nicaragua: one-year-old boy among dead in fresh violence – The Guardian

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