Nicaraguan Cardinal denounces
violence against protesters
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| Protesters march in Nicaragua's capital (AFP) |
Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes condemns an outbreak of violence
against anti-government protesters in Nicaragua, which came despite a recent
agreement to allow demonstrations.
By Devin Watkins
It was a promise that lasted just 24 hours.
Official negotiators for Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega
had given assurances on Friday that demonstrations would be permitted and that
detained protesters would be released.
Only a day later, on Saturday, Nicaraguan riot police
allegedly fired on anti-government demonstrators, injuring at least three
people.
Demonstrations
The National White and Blue Union called the protests.
Haydee Castillo, a leader in the Union, said police arrested 10 peaceful
protesters at a shopping center in Managua on Saturday, and fired upon at least
three others. Another demonstrator was arrested in the city of Leon.
Journalists covering the event reportedly had their cameras
confiscated.
Police reports stated that “violent groups” disturbed public
order, but did not report the number of people arrested.
‘Spiral of violence’
Several of the country’s Catholic officials denounced the
arrests.
The Archbishop of Managua, Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes,
condemned Saturday’s violence on Twitter, and asked Nicaraguans to pray for
peace.
Bishop Silvio Baez, Managua’s auxiliary, said in his homily
at Sunday Mass that the nation is still “caught up in a spiral of violence”.
“It is outrageous that once again in Nicaragua police and
violent civilians attack, arrest, and injure civilians who are demonstrating
peacefully,” he said.
Bishop Baez also warned Catholics against allowing
themselves to be provoked and advised they “not fall into the temptation of
taking justice into their own hands”.
Hundreds killed and jailed
Nicaragua’s opposition claims more than 640 people are being
held for political causes.
Most have been jailed in protests that broke out in April of
last year against the government of President Daniel Ortega.
Another 325 people have died and more than 50,000 have fled
Nicaragua, according to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission.
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