Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: March 22, 2025
Let’s read Psalm 143:1 as we pray for Nicaragua today. Let’s call on our faithful Lord to bring relief to those living under repression, surveillance and fear.
‘Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.’ (Psalm 143:1)
Sadly, but unsurprisingly, our latest report on Nicaragua revealed that the human rights situation continued to deteriorate over the last year.
We recorded 222 separate cases of violations of freedom of religion or belief in 2024. Most cases involved multiple violations and some affected thousands of people.
One of the most commonly reported violations was the arbitrary cancellation of religious events, activities or services.
And one of the most concerning developments was what the Nicaraguan government refers to as ‘precautionary measures’ for religious leaders.
Those under these measures must report to a specific local police officer every week to have their photo taken and submit their plans for the week’s activities. Some religious leaders were warned that they would be detained or exiled if they didn’t obey the terms of the measures.
We also documented 46 cases of short-term and long-term arbitrary detention of religious leaders in 2024. Among them are two Catholic lay leaders: Carmen María Sáenz Martínez and Lesbia del Socorro Gutiérrez Poveda.
Carmen and Lesbia have now spent over seven months detained incommunicado. They are believed to be held in La Esperanza women’s prison, but their families and lawyers have had no contact – not even a proof of life.
Please pray:
- That the Nicaraguan government will provide urgent answers about the whereabouts of Carmen and Lesbia.
- That all those imprisoned because of their beliefs will be released without condition, and without being expelled from the country, as has become government practice.
- That God will encourage religious leaders under ‘precautionary measures’ and release them from intrusive surveillance and restrictions.
- That the Nicaraguan government would stop trying to silence its own people through repression and intimidation, and would be held to account for its crimes.