Jul 24

WHEN:

Jul 24th 10:30am

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing

Deteriorating Religious Freedom Conditions in Nicaragua

Wednesday, July 24, 2024
10:30 AM-12:00 PM ET
Virtual

Hearing Transcript

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing on deteriorating religious freedom conditions in Nicaragua and suggested policy options for the U.S. government.

Since 2018, the Nicaraguan government has severely restricted freedom of religion or belief. Catholic clergymen and laypeople have been arbitrarily arrested, imprisoned, and exiled. Catholic charitable and educational organizations have been shuttered on false allegations of money laundering and failure to properly register with authorities. Uniformed and plain clothes officers routinely monitor, harass, and intimidate worshipers during peaceful religious processions. The government has targeted Evangelical pastors as well, sentencing 11 such pastors in March 2024 to imprisonment on spurious money laundering charges. In addition, religious leaders and worshipers in Indigenous communities, including members of the Moravian Church, face harassment and intimidation for peacefully practicing their faith.

Witnesses discussed Nicaragua’s repressive governance framework and the authorities’ severe crackdown against the Catholic, Protestant, and Indigenous religious communities. They also explored further policy options for the U.S. government to foster improved religious freedom conditions in the country to help stem the relentless persecution of religious communities in Nicaragua beyond holding government officials accountable for religious freedom violations.

Opening Remarks

  • Stephen Schneck, Chair, USCIRF
  • Maureen Ferguson, Commissioner, USCIRF
    Written Remarks

Panel

  • Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies
    Written Testimony
  • Felix Maradiaga, Trustee, Freedom House and Exiled Nicaraguan Human Rights Activist
    Written Testimony
  • Jon Britton Hancock, Founder and President, Mountain Gateway Ministry
    Written Testimony
  • Anexa Alfred, Member of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and exiled Miskitu leader
    Written Testimony

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please email [email protected].