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DemocracyAlertsFrom time to time, the World Movement for Democracy issues alerts concerning participants and other colleagues who are, or may be, facing personal danger due to their work on behalf of democracy and for whom a vigorous response from around the world may be critical. To see previous alerts go to www.wmd.org/democracyalerts/democracyAlerts.html. (October 22, 2008) DemocracyAlert: Organizations Address Harassment of NGOs in Nicaragua Over the past two weeks, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Article 19, and the Women’s Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP) all issued statements strongly condemning a newly-launched Nicaraguan Interior Ministry investigation into 17 NGOs for alleged embezzlement and money-laundering. RSF fears that the investigation could jeopardize NGO rights, particularly the right to inform and the right of association. The Ministry of Interior Web site claims that the 17 NGOs lack legal status because they are not formally registered as NGOs with the Ministry. The probe is focused on the Center for Investigation and Communication (CINCO), headed by journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro, and on the Autonomous Women’s Movement (MAM), headed by journalist Sofía Montenegro. According to RSF, both individuals have been the target of a smear campaign by close allies of President Daniel Ortega. According to Article 19, on September 9, CINCO was called before the Ministry of the Interior, and the Secretary of the Joint Council, where authorities ultimately used to the meeting to bring charges of money laundering against Chamorro. With regard to MAM, WLP reports that on October 10 the government raided MAM’s offices and seized documents and computers. WLP believes the raid is yet another step in the Ortega government's campaign against civil society organizations, particularly feminists, who have been outspoken critics of the government. Article 19 asserts that the government is manipulating the law to harass NGOs. The pattern of harassment is evident as far back as early 2007 when the state launched a criminal investigation of nine prominent human rights defenders. Those targeted had been campaigning on women’s rights issues. RSF has requested an explanation from the Ministry of the Interior of why these groups have been targeted, but the Ministry has yet to respond to the request. Article 19 believes the charges against CINCO are politically motivated, and have called for them to be dropped. Article 19 urges the Nicaraguan government to refrain from interfering in the free flow of ideas and opinions, and instead to promote and guarantee their dissemination, according to their international obligations. Meanwhile, WLP has asked all concerned individuals to send letters protesting the increasingly authoritarian actions of the Nicaraguan government to José Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American States: 1889 F Street, NW For more information from RSF, go to: www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=28891 For more information from Article 19 (in English), go to: www.article19.org/pdfs/press/nicaragua-authorities-harassment-of-ngos-threatens-freedom-of-expression.pdf For more information from Article 19 (in Spanish), go to: www.article19.org/pdfs/press/nicaragua-acoso-a-organizaciones-por-opinion-politica-atribuida-amenaza-el-d.pdf For more information from WLP, go to: www.learningpartnership.org/en/advocacy/alerts/crackdown-nicaragua For more information from the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Democracy (in Spanish), go to: www.democracialatinoamerica.org/uploads/DECLARACION_NICARAGUA.pdf |
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