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UN experts demand investigation into death of jailed indigenous leader in Nicaragua
🇵🇦 Panama /Crime & Justice

UN experts demand investigation into death of jailed indigenous leader in Nicaragua

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • UN experts are calling for an investigation into the death of indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera while in Nicaraguan custody.
  • Rivera, 73, was arrested in September 2023 and died from health complications, described by the UN group as a politically motivated detainee.
  • The experts expressed concern over the handling of his remains and the detention of family members who attended his funeral.

A group of UN experts on Nicaragua has strongly condemned the death of indigenous leader and former parliamentarian Brooklyn Rivera, who died in state custody. The experts are demanding an independent investigation into his death, citing concerns that his detention and subsequent demise constitute international crimes for which Nicaragua bears legal responsibility.

The enforced disappearance of Rivera under state custody constitutes an international crime for which the State of Nicaragua is legally responsible.

— Ariela Peraltaone of the UN experts, commenting on the circumstances of Rivera's detention and death.

Rivera, 73, a prominent Miskito leader from Nicaragua's Caribbean coast, was arrested in September 2023 after speaking out about the situation of indigenous populations at an international conference. The UN experts described him as a "political prisoner" of the government led by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. His death, attributed by Nicaraguan authorities to health complications from a COVID-19-related bacterial infection, has been met with skepticism.

Adding to the concerns, the experts highlighted reports that authorities controlled Rivera's remains, restricted family participation in his funeral, and detained relatives and sympathizers who came to pay their respects. "Under International Law, Nicaragua must conduct an independent investigation into Brooklyn Rivera's death in custody, ensure a transparent autopsy, return his mortal remains to his family without delay, and guarantee accountability for his enforced disappearance and other related human rights violations," stated Jan-Michael Simon, the group's president.

Under International Law, Nicaragua must conduct an independent investigation into Brooklyn Rivera's death in custody, ensure a transparent autopsy, return his mortal remains to his family without delay, and guarantee accountability for his enforced disappearance and other related human rights violations.

— Jan-Michael Simonpresident of the UN group of experts, outlining demands for Nicaragua.

Rivera was a leader of the Yatama party, which advocates for the rights of Nicaragua's indigenous communities. Amnesty International had recognized him as a "prisoner of conscience," and the United States had called for his release. His daughter, Tininiska Rivera, speaking from exile, rejected the official account of his final moments, holding the government responsible for his deteriorating health.

Unfortunately, he has left this plane of life.

— Nicaraguan Ministry of Healthofficial statement regarding Rivera's death.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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