Nicaraguan Police Block March against Violence

On International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women

HAVANA TIMES – Nicaraguan police prevented groups of women on Saturday from moving from different provinces to the capital to participate in a national march for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, reported dpa news.

María Castillo, of the Women’s Movement of Chinandega, denounced that police agents and officials of the Ministry of Transportation prevented private bus drivers from transporting numerous groups of women to the city of Managua, allegedly “by superior orders.”

“This is the order of the dictator (Daniel) Ortega that violates our rights as citizens. In this country they violate the right to free mobilization consigned in our laws and international treaties; we have the right to march where we want,” said Castillo.

Local media reported that police agents also blocked caravans of women in the provinces of Masaya, Matagalpa and Chinandega, among others.

In Managua, leaders of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) reported that several groups of citizens were prevented from participating in the national march on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Salvador Marenco, from the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights, denounced that police blocked the passage of numerous groups of citizens from different parts of the capital city.

Leaders of civic organizations have reported that so far this year at least 49 women have been killed by their partners, former partners, relatives or strangers, while 58 women survived close calls with death.
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