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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

The post Nicaragua: Brooklyn Rivera’s death in state custody must be promptly, effectively and independently investigated appeared first on Amnesty International.

As a result of Venezuelan victims’ fight for justice under universal jurisdiction in Argentina, manifested by filing complaints before Argentine courts, and responding to recent reports of an extradition request from Argentine to Spanish authorities, Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International, stated today:

“Crimes against humanity, such as those committed in Venezuela, must stir the conscience of the entire international community and lead to tangible action towards protecting victims against past and future human rights violations and crimes under international law.”

Crimes against humanity, such as those committed in Venezuela, must stir the conscience of the entire international community and lead to tangible action towards protecting victims against past and future human rights violations and crimes under international law.”

Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International.

Avenues for international justice have been opened and are sustained by courageous victims, including the investigation by the Office of the Prosecutor in the International Criminal Court – the first of its kind for a situation in the Americas-, and cases of universal jurisdiction.

Since 2023, we have closely monitored the case filed by the surviving relatives of victims of extrajudicial executions before Argentine courts and supported the jurisdiction of the local courts. News that this case and related criminal investigations are progressing, and an extradition request has been formally filed before Spanish authorities is a welcome step. We call on Spanish authorities to cooperate promptly and fully with this and any potential future requests, in view of contributing to justice and accountability for the crimes committed in Venezuela.

Victims, communities, and their representatives face continued risks in Venezuela. Their safety and rights, including, crucially, their right to truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees of non-repetition, must be a paramount priority for Venezuelan authorities moving forward. Amnesty International calls for the immediate dismantling of the state’s policy of repression, including the unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained for political reasons, and for the overhaul of the justice system.

“Amnesty International’s research on universal jurisdiction underscores that states worldwide have both the authority and responsibility to act against crimes under international law, lending weight to current efforts for justice in Venezuela.”

Amnesty International’s research on universal jurisdiction underscores that states worldwide have both the authority and responsibility to act against crimes under international law, lending weight to current efforts for justice in Venezuela.”

Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International.

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

The post International: Spanish and Argentinean authorities must support justice for Venezuelan victims of crimes against humanity appeared first on Amnesty International.