Esmeralda Arosemena Troitiño

Organization
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)

Activity
Rights of Children and Adolescents

Attack experienced
Denial of entrance to country

THE FACTS – On Friday, November 17th, the government of Nicaracua blocked entry to the country of Esmeralda Arosemena, IACHR Rapporteur for the Rights of Children and Adolescents. She had been invited to attend a forum on Monday, November 20th, on the role of civil society organizations in the promotion and defense of the rights of children and adolescents, with emphasis on special protection.

In response to the State’s allegation that there was no government hearing programmed and that the visit was unauthorized, the IACHR replied that the Commissioner’s visit was promotional, and therefore protected for all intents and purposes by the operating statutes of the IACHR. Thus, no State permission is necessary; information supplied by the invited rapporteur is suficient.

This is not the first time the Nicaraguan government has blocked entry or expelled representatives of oficial international agencies and organizations. It is worth recalling the complaint lodged by IM-Defensoras in August 2016, when the Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, Mr. Michel Forst, had to cancel his visit to the country due to lack of authorization by the government.

Such postures foster the defenselessness and vulnerability of persons and social groups whose human rights are systematically attacked, and of persons and organizations who defend them.

We of IM-Defensoras condemn this serious offense and express our concern over the explicit, reiterated scorn of government officials towards human rights and the international mechanisms that ensure compliance with them. We also condemn the systematic hostility towards organizations working for human rights in the country, especially feminists and those who defend the rights of women.