The Nicaraguan Parliament on Wednesday July 28 withdrew the legal status of 24 civil society organizations, most in the medical field, accusing them of violating regulations but these entities denounce reprisals for their criticism of the management of the epidemic of Covid-19.
This measure, demanded by the Ministry of the Interior and approved by a majority of 70 deputies against 16, also requires that the property of the affected NGOs become “State property”, according to the text adopted in plenary session.
“It is not a question of relentlessness or to harm any NGO, it is simply a question of applying the legislation”, Wilfredo Navarro, Liberal deputy and ally of the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN, former Marxist guerrillas) said before the meeting. According to him, for more than ten years, several of these organizations “Have slept the sleep of the righteous without fulfilling the requirements” legal to continue to operate.
Among the organizations that have lost their status are associations of patients suffering from renal failure, nephrology, diabetes, pneumology, menopause, or even specialized in anesthesia, infectious diseases or the treatment of pain.
“Silence”
Health professionals have denounced this measure which, according to them, will penalize the beneficiaries of their services and which constitutes an attempt by the government to “Silence reports [par des spécialistes] poor management of the pandemic and health ” by the authorities.
Nicaragua, which does not apply restrictions to stem the spread of the coronavirus, has officially recorded 9,651 cases of Covid-19, including 194 deaths. But these numbers are being challenged by independent groups of doctors and citizens.
The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (CENIDH) deplored the withdrawal of the legal status of these 24 NGOs which “Watch over the health and life of Nicaraguans”, considering that he was infringing the right to freedom of association.
In 2018, in the midst of a political crisis triggered by anti-government protests, Parliament had already withdrawn the legal status of ten NGOs – including CENIDH – which it accused of promoting activities “Terrorists” and “Putchists”.