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).

References

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)

Attachments

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)