The Canadian government spoke out on Friday against Nicaragua's crackdown on protesters in the cities of Managua and Masaya, calling a lack of justice and accountability for the crimes that have been committed unacceptable.

"We condemn the killings of unarmed protesters by state security forces and paramilitary groups and the crackdowns in Managua and Masaya," Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement.

"The civilian population is being intimidated on a daily basis by these forces," Freeland said. "The clear absence of justice and accountability for their crimes is unacceptable. The perpetrators of these actions must be held accountable."

The Canadian government said the conflict in Nicaragua has also had a "devastating impact" on its citizens, but that it is also "posing serious risks to the security of the region."

Read more: Will Nicaragua be the next Venezuela?

OAS group confirms death toll

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) gathered on Friday at the Organization of American States (OAS) headquarters in Washington, DC, to release its report on the crisis.

The IACH confirmed what Nicaraguan human rights advocates said this week, that the death toll during two months of anti-government unrest has risen to 212 with more than 1,300 people wounded, and that President Daniel Ortega's government was responsible for the violence.

"Nicaragua has not fulfilled its international obligations to respect, protect and guarantee human rights in the context of the social protests that began on April 18," the regional human rights organization said in its report, which was based on a visit to the Central American country this week.

Read more: Nicaragua's student protest leaders determined to win back democracy

The 97-page document found that the state response to mass demonstrations has been characterized by repression and criminalization of protesters and the social movement they represent. This has resulted "in serious violations of human rights," the IACHR said.

"State violence has been aimed at discouraging participation in demonstrations and quelling this expression of political dissent," the IACHR concluded and called on Nicaragua's government to "reach a constitutional, democratic and peaceful solution to this human rights crisis."

The statement was rejected by Nicaraguan ambassador to the OAS, Denis Moncada, who said that the findings of the IACHR were "subjective, prejudiced and notably biased." Nicaragua was supported in the OAS meeting by the Venezuelan and Bolivian delegations.

"The same tactics that have been used to destabilize Venezuela are being used right now on Nicaragua," said Venezuelan Ambassador Carmen Velazquez.

Nicaragua crisis explained Daniel Ortega: A Cold War relic Embattled President Daniel Ortega has been a fixed presence in Nicaraguan politics for decades. Following the fall of longtime dictator Anastasio Somoza, Ortega became president in 1985, heading the leftist Sandinista National Liberation Front. With deep ties to Fidel Castro, he faced US opposition. The Reagan Administration supported a right-wing guerrilla movement aimed at bringing him down.

Nicaragua crisis explained Opposition figure and return to power After losing re-election in 1990, Ortega became a major opposition figure. Ortega finally won the presidency in 2006, riding the wave of leftist presidents in Latin America. He became a close friend and ally of Hugo Chavez. He has since changed tack, allying himself with the country's traditionally right-wing business community and clergy.

Nicaragua crisis explained Nicaraguan government consolidates power Coupled with changes in electoral law, Ortega has prolonged and cemented his rule. In 2016, he barred international observers and nominated his wife as vice-president. The pair won the election, which was condemned by the opposition and criticized internationally by the US, OAS and the EU.

Nicaragua crisis explained Pension reform attempt In April 2018, Ortega announced a move to reform Nicaragua's pension system, saying that fiscal changes were needed. The reform sought to impose a 5 percent tax on retiree and disability pensions while increasing social security contributions by up to 22.5 percent. The move unleashed large-scale protests nationwide, which have been the biggest challenge Ortega has faced during his modern tenure.

Nicaragua crisis explained State repression and clergy mediation The pension plan was abandoned but protests continued, demanding Ortega's ouster. UN Human Rights experts denounced the state's harsh repression. As the death toll rose, Nicaragua's Catholic Church has demanded that Ortega allow international organizations entry to Nicaragua to help investigate the deaths and tried to set up talks between the opposition and the government.

Nicaragua crisis explained Government and opposition sit down The opposition, comprised of students and a wide range of civil society groups, sat down with the government for a round of talks on May 16. The Clergy said the talks would be focused on "justice, democratization, and peace." The opposition's main demand: new presidential elections in 2019. The government rejected the demands and talks broke down.

Nicaragua crisis explained Catholic Church under fire Bishops and priests in the strongly Catholic country have played a key role in the crisis. In addition to mediating the peace talks that stalled in June, the bishops have also seconded the call for new elections. Ortega has described the bishops as "coup-plotters" against him, and Catholic leaders have faced threats, harassment and attacks. Protesters have marched in support of the priests.

Nicaragua crisis explained Students as prime targets University students have been the vanguard of the anti-Ortega movement. Many violent crackdowns have taken place on university campuses, often involving heavy gunfire. While the students say that paramilitaries loyal to Ortega are behind the shootings, the president denies that the armed individuals are under government control. He has also described the protesters as "terrorists" and "criminals."

Nicaragua crisis explained Stalemate and instability The death toll in four months of violence has risen to over 300 according to human rights activists, though the Ortega government says it's around 200. Protesters continue to take to the streets, describing torture, blacklists and job dismissals as repercussions for their demonstrations. In addition, the UN says over 20,000 people have sought asylum in Costa Rica in a crisis with no end in sight. Author: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez



Bishops reach agreement with Masaya police

Repression had ramped up this week after a dialogue between the opposition and the government broke down on Monday. Right away, clashes reignited between protesters and police in the city of Masaya, which declared itself in "rebellion" against the government.

On Thursday, the Nicaraguan clergy announced they were traveling to the city to "prevent a massacre" and provide support to its citizens. By Friday, the clergy, along with Nicaragua's main human rights organization, managed to reach an agreement with police forces in Masaya to cease violence.

Police commissioner Ramon Avellan is set to have pledged to "suspend all harassment," Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes confirmed. "Let's see if it's really true," he added.

The Nicaraguan Association of Human Rights says that 21 people have died in Masaya's standoff against police and pro-government mobs.

jcg/sms (EFE, dpa, AFP)

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