ニカラグアでの女性運動の弾圧についての署名募集

ニカラグアでは、２００６年に全面禁止になってしまった人工妊娠中絶について現オルテガ大統領が直接関わったことや、彼の過去の性暴力について、現オルテガ大統領を非難したことに対する報復として女性運動を弾圧するという動きがあるようです。
Campaign: Urgent solidarity needed with women in Nicaragua　
http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/7113.htmlCampaign: Urgent solidarity needed with women in Nicaragua

Human Rights /Gender - Wed Oct 15 2008
Source: Red de Salud de las Mujeres Latinoamericanas y del Caribe (LACWHN)

The attacks promoted by the Nicaraguan government against the defenders of women’s human rights have not been limited to legal proceeding against them, but are being expressed in ongoing persecution and direct threats against their lives and the lives of their families.

October 12, 2008

Send signatures of support to:
secretaria@reddesalud.org or
agomez@reddesalud.org

"We demand that the Ortega regime respect the lives of the defenders of Women's Human Rights in Nicaragua. Stop the violence and persecution now!

Public Declaration of the Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health Network, LACWHN

The attacks promoted by the Nicaraguan government under Daniel Ortega against the defenders of women’s human rights in this country have not been limited to legal proceeding against them, but are being expressed in ongoing persecution and direct threats against their lives and the lives of their families. This situation is totally unacceptable and thoroughly reproachable and merits the most profound condemnation by the Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health Network, LACWHN.

In light of this situation, we declare our solidarity especially with our colleagues Ana María Pizarro, Sofía Montenegro, Patricia Orozco, Juanita
Jiménez, Lorna Norori, Luisa Molina Arguello, Martha María Blandón, Martha Munguía, Mayra Sirias, Violeta Delgado and Yamileth Mejía. These outstanding women have a longstanding and steadfast commitment to improving women’s living conditions and health in Nicaragua, especially among the poorest and most vulnerable. Nonetheless, because of their work, these activists are the object of the abovementioned attacks. National, regional and international attention must be draw to their plight.

We also express our solid support for other civil society organizations and individuals, including well-known public figures like Ernesto Cardenal and Dora María Téllez, whose public actions have been arbitrarily restricted by the government. This dictatorial behavior has been denounced internationally.

This situation is unacceptable and reprehensible. Democracy must be built and strengthened by society as a whole, without any sort of exclusion and, above all, without the state’s repression of those whose positions are based on their diversity and differ from official policy. Widespread participation is the only way in which we will be able to move towards societies that are more inclusive and respectful of human rights, including the rights of women, who continue to endure persistent discrimination and violence because of their gender.

It is precisely the defense of human rights that have been the focus of the indefatigable efforts of our colleague who are today so cruelly threatened. They have put themselves on the front line of the social struggle for rights, and because of their dedication they are at serious risk under the campaign orchestrated against them by the administration of Daniel Ortega. These actions are undoubtedly revenge for the denunciations by the women’s movement against Ortega for his direct participation in overturning the right to therapeutic abortion in Nicaragua and for his abuse and rape of his stepdaughter, Zoilamérica Narváez, when she was a child.

Therefore, the Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health Network, LACWHN, demands that the Ortega administration immediately cease its attacks on and false accusations against the women named above and uphold in its entirety the illustrious spirit of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted in 1998. This declaration recognizes that the ideals consecrated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights can only be made reality if all persons can participate in the application of human rights and if those who strive to promote them can do so without interference, obstacles, threats or fear of retaliation.

The Declaration on Human Rights Defenders calls for governments to protect the rights which are fundamental to the work of these activists, including the right to meet and assemble peacefully; to form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations; to hold and publish information about human rights; to complain about the policies and actions of officials and government bodies; and to enjoy unhindered access to international bodies.

As a network of organizations, national-level networks and individuals who work for women’s health and human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean, LACWHN will continue its actions in solidarity with these women who continue to be persecuted today. We ask that all our members circulate this public declaration and send it to the Nicaraguan embassies in their respective countries, as well as to the national and international human rights organizations that, in keeping with their missions and principles, must undoubtedly support this cause.

October, 2008
Santiago, Chile

Send signatures of support to:
secretaria@reddesalud.org or
agomez@reddesalud.org