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UN Issues Report of Human Rights Abuses in Nicaragua


FILE - A police officer aims his shotgun at two men riding a motorcycle during a protest against Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega in Managua, Nicaragua, Monday, May 28, 2018.
FILE - A police officer aims his shotgun at two men riding a motorcycle during a protest against Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega in Managua, Nicaragua, Monday, May 28, 2018.

The United Nations is urging the international community to intervene in Nicaragua to prevent it from falling further into political and social chaos.

The U.N.'s human rights office issued a report Wednesday detailing numerous violations carried out by the government since April 18, when protests broke out over President Daniel Ortega's plan to cut social security benefits. Authorities launched a crackdown against the demonstrators, aided by armed civilian supporters of Ortega who were mobilized into "shock forces" or "mobs" who attacked and harassed protesters, "often in a joint and coordinated manner" with police.

FILE - Armed pro-government militia members flash victory signs as they occupy the Monimbo neighborhood of Masaya, Nicaragua, July 18, 2018.
FILE - Armed pro-government militia members flash victory signs as they occupy the Monimbo neighborhood of Masaya, Nicaragua, July 18, 2018.

The report says more than 300 people have been killed and 2,000 injured since April, and at least 300 others are being prosecuted for participating in or supporting the protests.

Investigators have also documented numerous reports of enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and instances of torture.

FILE - People march with Nicaraguan national flags during the commemoration of Student Day, demanding the ouster of President Daniel Ortega and the release of political prisoners, in Managua, July 23, 2018.
FILE - People march with Nicaraguan national flags during the commemoration of Student Day, demanding the ouster of President Daniel Ortega and the release of political prisoners, in Managua, July 23, 2018.

U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein is urging the Human Rights Council to establish an international inquiry or truth commission "to ensure access to truth, justice and reparation for victims."

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