Autor: global-affair

In response to the announcement of the death of Brooklyn Rivera, Miskitu Indigenous leader and prisoner of conscience, Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International, said:

“Brooklyn Rivera should not have died in the custody of the Nicaraguan state. His death followed the deterioration of his health while he was being arbitrarily detained. During this time, the authorities held him without confirming his whereabouts, without access to his family or to trusted legal counsel, and without independent oversight to verify his situation. Amnesty International repeatedly warned that these circumstances placed his personal integrity and life at risk. Today, those warnings have materialized into a death that the state must explain.” 

Brooklyn Rivera should not have died in the custody of the Nicaraguan state. His death followed the deterioration of his health while he was being arbitrarily detained. During this time, the authorities held him without confirming his whereabouts, without access to his family or to trusted legal counsel, and without independent oversight to verify his situation.” 

Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International

“This grave event cannot be met with silence or impunity. Under international human rights standards, all deaths in state custody must be investigated, as they may constitute unlawful deaths and, therefore, a violation of the right to life. We urgently call on governments in the region and international protection mechanisms to demand accountability from the Nicaraguan state and to call for a prompt, effective, thorough, independent, impartial and transparent investigation to clarify the circumstances of this potentially unlawful death. Now more than ever, they must also intensify their efforts on behalf of those who remain imprisoned for political reasons under conditions similar to those to which Rivera was subjected. Their lives are in grave danger.”

“The Nicaraguan authorities have an obligation to provide Brooklyn Rivera’s family with immediate and unrestricted access to all information related to his detention, the conditions in which he was deprived of his liberty, and the circumstances of his death. They must also ensure the dignified return of his remains so that he may be laid to rest in accordance with his wishes, respecting his identity as a Miskitu Indigenous leader and the traditions of his people. Any delay, concealment of information or reprisal against his family would further aggravate the state’s responsibility in this matter. Brooklyn Rivera’s family has the right to truth.”

The Nicaraguan authorities must ensure the dignified return of his remains so that he may be laid to rest in accordance with his wishes, respecting his identity as a Miskitu Indigenous leader and the traditions of his people. Brooklyn Rivera’s family has the right to truth.”

Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact press@amnesty.org

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