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Nicaragua to release protesters arrested during last year's uprising

The bill passed by parliament also closes the door on investigating and punishing security forces involved in repressing the protests.

NICARAGUA’S PARLIAMENT HAS approved a law granting amnesty to protesters and police involved in last year’s deadly uprising against President Daniel Ortega.

The law, passed by MPs loyal to Ortega who control the legislature, applies to “all those who took part in the events beginning on 18 April, 2018,” when protests broke out, sparking a heavy-handed response by security forces.

The Central American country descended into crisis and a brutal crackdown by Ortega’s troops over the next four months left 325 dead, 800 in prison and thousands in exile.

The government promised in talks with the opposition to release all detained protesters by 18 June, and the measure passed yesterday calls for jailed dissidents to be released “immediately,” but also stipulates that they must “refrain” from protesting again.

The bill also closes the door on investigating and punishing security forces involved in repressing the protests.

Sparked by a now-scrapped pension reform proposal, the protests left 325 people dead, most of them opposition supporters.

“The path to peace and reconciliation can only be through forgiveness, and it hurts us to have to grant amnesty to confessed assassins of police,” but “the country comes first,” said Edwin Castro, head of Ortega’s Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) in parliament, whose 70 MPs voted for the law.

The National Unity Blue and White (UNAB), a coalition of more than 70 opposition groups, denounced the amnesty law, saying it “aims to cover up crimes that (the government) committed with its institutions, partisan structures and paramilitaries.”

The opposition accuses 73-year-old former left-wing guerrilla leader Ortega, who first came to power in 1979 following the fall of the US-backed Somoza family dictatorship, of rights abuses and authoritarian leadership.

Peace talks between Ortega and opposition groups have stalled several times, notably due to Ortega’s refusal to countenance a key demand that he resign and bring forward elections slated for 2021.

- © AFP 2019.

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    Mute Wayne Rutherford
    Favourite Wayne Rutherford
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    Sep 6th 2013, 9:28 AM

    There should be no bar in your place of work on less you work in a bar. Seriously it should ne closed.

    48
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    Mute Rory O'Brien
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    Sep 6th 2013, 9:20 AM

    What will it take for common sense to kick in, in Ireland? On the increase, drug abuse, alcohol consumption, suicide, marital break up mortgage default and violent crime. On the decrease, spending, employment, tax take, health spending and public services! And the government answer is to tax everything, over a couple of jars in a private bar with no apparent licence! And they’re surprised when we get indignant! Phew! Gimme a break!

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    Mute Erich King 
    Favourite Erich King 
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    Sep 6th 2013, 8:55 AM

    How much is a Jägerbomb in the Dàil bar ?

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    Mute Peter Haughton
    Favourite Peter Haughton
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    Sep 6th 2013, 9:15 AM

    It’s free…..

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    Mute John Ward
    Favourite John Ward
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    Sep 6th 2013, 10:22 AM

    I suppose it makes it rather obvious why the country is in the state it’s in, the politicians are all pissed!

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    Mute Glen Hoddle
    Favourite Glen Hoddle
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    Sep 6th 2013, 9:22 AM

    ‘A Freedom of Information Act has revealed’…..

    Don’t follow.

    Both Dail bars are licensed – one for members (Senators and TD’s) and the other for visitors (accompanied by a member).

    Both can stay open for two hours after a sitting.

    This information is in the public domain – and was alluded to in the media recently, including the Irish Times.

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