The release of Bishop Álvarez Lagos should have been purely good news. After more than five months under house arrest, followed by nearly a year in solitary confinement, the Nicaraguan human rights defender was finally free.
We of course have reason to celebrate: the bishop is no longer held in inhumane conditions; no longer serving over 26 years on false charges. However, this breakthrough is bittersweet, as Bishop Álvarez Lagos was exiled from thecountry, having already been stripped of his nationality and his civil rights for life.
‘Like many religious leaders in Nicaragua, Bishop Álvarez Lagos was targeted for refusing to stay silent in the face of corruption and rampant violations of fundamental human rights,’ said Anna Lee Stangl, CSW’s Head of Advocacy.
After his arrest in August 2022, Bishop Álvarez Lagos was transferred to La Modelo Tipitapa prison, where he was held in a punishment cell with very little light. Political prisoners in Nicaragua are not allowed a Bible or other religious literature.
He may have been alone in his cell, but you stood alongside him in prayer and support, as well as writing letters of encouragement. Thank you!
Meanwhile, we were consistently advocating for his unconditional release, including by raising awareness in the media, briefing politicians and highlighting his case to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
Released into exile
On 14 January we heard the news that Bishop Álvarez Lagos had been released from prison, but expelled to the Vatican along with 18 other Roman Catholic bishops, priests and seminarians – most of whom had also been political prisoners. Among the group was Bishop Isidoro del Carmen Mora Ortega, who had been arrested just before Christmas 2023, after he told his congregation that Nicaragua's bishops were ‘united in prayer’ for Bishop Álvarez Lagos. It is alarming that even such acts of solidarity can lead to arrest.
‘[Their release] should not be interpreted as a gesture of good will on the part of the government,’ said Anna Lee. ‘Bishop Álvarez Lagos, Bishop Mora Ortega and the 17 others have been forced to leave their country, because the government compels those who are critical of the regime to choose between prison or exile.’
No one should be forced to make such a choice. But sadly, this is the everyday news in Nicaragua, where Protestant Christians and other minorities are also under threat and now also being imprisoned.
Tightening reigns on freedom
Earlier this year, we released a report describing the Nicaraguan government’s hostile takeover of religious life, and their ever-tightening reigns on fundamental freedoms. It is particularly disturbing to hear of the government’s monitoring and surveillance of religious activities, which is putting pressure on leaders to practice self-censorship.
‘Police officers infiltrate churches to listen to what is said,’ said one defender of freedom of religion or belief, who must remain anonymous. They explained that even bringing a Bible to sick people in hospital, or to prisons or educational centres, can be seen as a crime.’
‘What can really be seen is a country with a population full of fear, trembling, sadness, anguish, psychological trauma, anxiety and depression… There is no longer joy; children and families cannot go out into the streets happy and free. [There are] homes where only mother is there because father is in prison, or a relative [is] in jail; children alone without father and mother because they both had to emigrate and go into exile in other countries. The people of Nicaragua are suffering all this and more.’
President Ortega and his government seem determined to silence their critics, and all independent voices in Nicaragua, using a range of tactics. Meanwhile, we remain determined to expose the sinister truth and hold them to account. The authorities may be closely monitoring religious activities, but we are continuing to meticulously record violations of freedom of religion or belief through our in-country documenters. And we can see it having an effect. We have spoken to people who were previously unaware of the situation in Nicaragua, but now they know. Now the world is watching.
Breakthroughs may be bittersweet, but we will celebrate every small and partial step forward, even as we continue pressing on for justice in full.
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With your partnership and prayers, we can continue advocating for the oppressed – the unjustly imprisoned, the exiled, and anybody living in fear because of their religion or belief. Go to csw.org.uk/donate to make a gift towards freedom.