BFF-06 Ortega, bishops discuss Nicaragua violence but fail to reboot talks

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BFF-06

NICARAGUA-POLITICS-PROTESTS

Ortega, bishops discuss Nicaragua violence but fail to reboot talks

MANAGUA, June 8, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Nicaragua’s Catholic bishops on Thursday
met with President Daniel Ortega over reviving stalled talks to quell a
political crisis rights groups say has left 134 people dead — but emerged
from the closed-door meeting without a formal plan to head back to the
negotiating table.

Ortega requested a “period of reflection” to consider a proposal from the
Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference (CEN), which said the bishops had presented
“the pain and anguish of people who have suffered in recent weeks” during the
“frank and sincere meeting.”

The CEN did not elaborate on the details of its plan, but in a statement
said it “reflects the feelings of many sectors of Nicaraguan society” and was
awaiting a reaction from Ortega, whose leftist administration is linked to
the bloody unrest.

Silvio Jose Baez, the auxiliary bishop of Managua, said Ortega “asked us
for a period of reflection to give us an answer, which we asked he give us in
writing” — after which they will consider the feasibility of renewed
negotiations.

Bishops had called off the talks last week after a crackdown on a protest
led by victims’ mothers left at least 16 people dead, and said they would not
resume until the government ends the repression.

The opposition had hoped Ortega would commit to ceasing violence and agree
to resume dialogue on a democratization process for the country, former
diplomat Carlos Tunnermann, who represents civil society in the broader
talks, told AFP.

Prior to Thursday’s discussion, vice president and official government
spokeswoman Rosario Murillo — Ortega’s wife — said “we are going to that
meeting to define the point, the agenda, the mechanisms, to work for peace.”

– ‘Blatant disregard’ of rights –

The meeting came as the United States upped pressure on Ortega’s government
by imposing visa restrictions on police and other officials linked to
repression.

“The political violence by police and pro-government thugs against the
people of Nicaragua, particularly university students, shows a blatant
disregard for human rights and is unacceptable,” US State Department
spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

Nauert did not name the individuals, but said they included national police
and health officials, along with others at the local level — “those
directing or overseeing violence against others exercising their rights of
peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.”

The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights said 134 people had been killed in
the violence since protests started on April 18.

“We have counted 134 deaths up until Thursday,” the center’s secretary
Marlin Sierra told AFP.

The dead included four young people killed late Wednesday in clashes
between pro- and anti-government groups in the towns of Chinandega and Nueva
Guinea.

Press reports said an armed group of pro-government supporters had attacked
students who were attempting to block traffic heading to the Honduran border.

– Move up elections? –

The Catholic Church has agreed to act as mediator to try to resolve a
crisis that began with protests against social security reform, but later
blossomed into widespread rejection of Ortega, who has been in power
continuously since 2007.

One of the key demands of Ortega’s opponents is for 2021 elections to be
brought forward to hasten his departure after 11 years in power. A related
demand is the renewal of the electoral authority, which is currently in the
hands of the ruling party.

“We are confident that they can convince Ortega to have a much more open
attitude,” said a student protest leader at the National Autonomous
University, which has been leading opposition to the leftist leader.

On Tuesday, the general assembly of the Organization of American States
approved a declaration “in support with the people of Nicaragua,” which urged
Ortega and Nicaraguans alike to engage in constructive dialogue to address
the crisis and prevent further violence.

BSS/AFP/MRI/0855 hrs