1) Information on harassment of members or employees of the Conservative Party in Boaco in August 1988; 2) Problems faced by the Assemblies of God and other Evangelical Churches in Boaco, 1988; Nicaragua [NIC3862]

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.