IACHR Grants Precautionary Measures in Favor of Danelia Valenzuela Castro and 10 Other Individuals, As Well As Their Families, in Nicaragua

November 5, 2021

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 87/21 on November 5, 2021, to grant precautionary measures in favor of Danelia Valenzuela Castro and 10 other individuals and their families in Nicaragua, in the belief that they face a serious, urgent risk of suffering irreparable harm to their rights.

The IACHR assessed the conditions faced by beneficiaries who are believed to be in the political opposition to the Nicaraguan government because they are critical of government actions. In particular, beneficiaries were said to have been subjected to threats and harassment and to other acts of violence by police officers and para-State agents, and they were also said to be constantly watched. This has been going on since April 2018. The information that was provided by the State was not sufficient to refute the risks faced by beneficiaries.

Consequently, in keeping with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the Commission asked the State of Nicaragua to take the following action:

1. Adopt any measures necessary to protect beneficiaries' rights to life and personal integrity
2. Come to an agreement with beneficiaries and their representatives concerning any measures that need to be taken
3. Report on any actions adopted to investigate the alleged events that gave rise to the adoption of this precautionary measure, in order to prevent such events from happening again in the future

The fact that this precautionary measure has been granted and its adoption by the State do not entail a prejudgment on a potential petition that may be filed before the inter-American system to allege violations of rights protected by the American Convention on Human Rights and other applicable instruments.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 296/21

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