Document #1057503
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
1) Although specific references to the
Partido Conservador Nacional (PCN) in the department of Boaco in
August 1988 could not be found among the sources currently
available to the IRBDC, one source [ Nicaragua: The Human Rights
Record 1986-1989, (London: Amnesty International, 1989), p.
24.] states that:
"During 1988, in the context of strikes and
anti-government demonstrations, arrests of opposition party members
increased."
According to the source, numerous
opposition figures, including members of the PCN, were detained
without charge and in some cases sentenced to jail for minor
offenses, including "disturbing the peace". [ Ibid, p.
25.]
On the same issue, Americas Watch reported
in August 1988 that "Sandinista authorities are resorting to police
courts to try demonstrators in which sentences of up to six months
are imposed after `trials' completely lacking due process". [
Human Rights in Nicaragua: August 1987 - August 1988,
(Washington, D.C.: Americas Watch, August 1988), p. 3.]
2) Specific information on the situation of
Evangelical churches in Boaco in 1988 could not be found among the
sources currently available to the IRBDC. For a general review
comment on the situation of Evangelical churches printed in 1988,
please find attached a copy of Human Rights in Central
America, (Antwerp: Pax Christi International, 1988), pp.
160-165.
According to the North American
headquarters of the Assemblies of God, the Assemblies of God
organization in each country develops its own doctrinal statement
concerning political stands and positions on matters such as, for
example, conscientious objection. [ Information provided by the
Assemblies of God headquarters, Springfield, Missouri.] however, no
information on the situation of the churches in Central America
could be provided.