Document #1225676
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
Please find attached some documents which
provide information on the Misura and Misurasata groups, including
the evolution of these rebel groups formed by members of the
Miskito, Sumu, Rama and other ethnic minorities. The available
information on the evolution of the groups, however, is not very
clear.
The attached pages of Revolutionary and
Dissident Movements and Nicaragua: A Country Guide
provide background information on the Misurasata, Misura and Kisan
organizations. According to these and other news reports (see list
of attachments), the Misurasata group reportedly broke up, with
armed factions being led by Brooklyn Rivera and Steadman Fagoth. A
faction eventually became the armed group Yatama, which has been
until recently the most significant native rebel group.
Some of the attached documents, such as the
Americas Watch reports, mention human rights violations by contra
forces, including indiscriminate attacks and abductions. In some
cases the Kisan, Misura and Misurasata groups are mentioned.
Regarding forced recruitment, please note
that the 1985-1986 Americas Watch report states:
In our previous reports on violations of the laws of war, we
included references to the forced recruitment of Sumo Indians into
Misura. Although details are sketchy, we learned that one Sumo was
hanged in Tapalwas in January 1985; the Sumos are not saying why or
who did it, but Misura is suspected. Three Sumos were taken
prisoner and tortured by Misura in March 1985 for allegedly
refusing to collaborate (Americas Watch 1986, 104-105).
Yatama was reportedly demobilized in June
1990 (AP 23 Oct. 1990). However, 1991 and early-1992 reports
attached to this Response mention a few armed attacks by Yatama
groups in the Atlantic Coast area (BBC Summary 20 Feb. 1992; UPI 19
Dec. 1991; Ibid. 7 Mar. 1992).
Americas Watch. 1986. Human Rights
in Nicaragua 1985 - 1986. Washington, D.C./ New York: Americas
Watch.
The Associated Press. 23 October 1990,
AM Cycle. "Raids, Arrests Seek to Curb Looting on Tense Atlantic
Coast." (NEXIS)
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 20
February 1992. "Reports of Violence on Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast."
(NEXIS)
United Press International (UPI). 7
March 1992, BC Cycle. "Disgruntled War Veterans End Occupation of
City." (NEXIS)
. 19 December 1991, BC Cycle.
"Nicaraguan Government Reaches Accord With Contra Rebels."
(NEXIS)
Americas Watch. 1988. Human Rights in
Nicaragua 1988. Washington, D.C./ New York: Americas Watch, pp.
116-119.
. 1987. Human Rights in Nicaragua
1987. Washington, D.C./ New York: Americas Watch, pp. 42-47,
127-137.
. 1986. Human Rights in Nicaragua
1985 - 1986. Washington, D.C./ New York: Americas Watch, pp.
94-97, 104-105.
The Associated Press (AP). 24 February
1992. "Two Years After Chamorro's Election, Nicaragua Remains
Violent." (NEXIS)
. 23 October 1990, AM Cycle. "Raids,
Arrests Seek to Curb Looting on Tense Atlantic Coast." (NEXIS)
. 11 May 1988, PM Cycle. "Indian Leaders
Begin Talks With Sandinistas." (NEXIS)
Barry, Tom. 1990. Nicaragua: A
Country Guide. New Mexico: The Inter-Hemispheric Education
Resource Center.
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 20
February 1992. "Reports of Violence on Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast."
(NEXIS)
. 25 May 1990. "Cuban Report on
Nicaraguan Indian Rebel Groups' Truce." (NEXIS)
The Christian Science Monitor. 19
June 1990. "Miskito Indians Confront Chamorro." (NEXIS)
Degenhardt, Henry W., ed. 1988.
Revolutionary and Dissident Movements: An International
Guide. Burnt Mill, Essex: Longman Group UK Ltd.
Latin American Newsletters. 29 November
1985. Latin American Regional Reports: Mexico & Central
America. "Nicaragua: U.S. Demand on Miskitos." London: Latin
American Newsletters.
. 12 July 1985. "Risking Miskito
Self-Rule."
Notimex Mexican News Service. 29
February 1992. "Government and Indian Rebels Reach Demobilization
Accord." (NEXIS)
United Press International (UPI). 7
March 1992, BC Cycle. "Disgruntled War Veterans End Occupation of
City." (NEXIS)
. 18 February 1992, BC Cycle. "Indian
Rebel Group Takes Control of Two Nicaragua Towns." (NEXIS)
. 19 December 1991, BC Cycle.
"Nicaraguan Government Reaches Accord With Contra Rebels."
(NEXIS)
The Washington Times. 22 October
1990, Final Edition. "Managua Slaps Curfew on Miskito Coast."
(NEXIS)