Managua (Agenzia Fides) – “We believe that the objective of National Dialogue must also be to review the political system of Nicaragua from its roots, in order to achieve an authentic democracy”: with these words the Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua (CEN) wanted to point out the main reason why they accepted the role of mediators in this difficult moment that the country is going through. In the statement sent to Agenzia Fides, at the conclusion of a conference held yesterday, the Bishops wanted to clarify several points, with the aim of providing the Nicaraguan people with truthful information.
Presenting an account of what happened, the Bishops said that on 22 April the President of the Republic Daniel Ortega addressed an invitation to “National Dialogue”, and asked the Bishops of the Catholic Church to act as mediators. On 24 April, CEN issued a statement accepting the mediation.
CEN called on the government to work to create a suitable environment and conditions to establish a real dialogue, asking: the release of young prisoners; the withdrawal of the so-called “riot police forces”; freedom of expression and of press; the publication of a new presidential decree that clearly revokes the precedent (on the reform of social security, which has provoked protests); the search for missing persons.
The Bishops of Nicaragua believe that these dialogue sessions should have a first duration of one month and then, during a pause, evaluate the will of the parties, the implementation and the effective application of the agreements reached. If the dialogue process takes a “negative” path, the Bishops would immediately make the decision to renounce the role of mediators.
“We also ask that the issue regarding the victims, killed during university demonstrations, is addressed and clarified”, continues the text of the statement sent to Fides.
Lastly, the Church offers the “Nuestra Señora de Fátima” Interdiocesan Seminary as a place of work for dialogue and appeals to all sectors of Nicaraguan society to participate by appointing a representative, asking for “good will to solve problems in a peaceful and responsible manner”. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 4/05/2018)
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Source link : http://fides.org/en/news/64132-AMERICA_NICARAGUA_The_Bishops_It_is_urgent_to_review_the_political_system_of_Nicaragua
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Publish date : 2018-05-04 03:00:00
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