Aug 25, 2022

August 25 marks the fifth anniversary of the start of the Burmese military’s genocidal campaign against the Rohingya people. The violence resulted in thousands of Rohingya dead, hundreds of thousands internally displaced, and millions dispersed throughout the region. On March 21, 2021, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the U.S. government had determined that the atrocities committed against the Rohingya by Burmese authorities constituted genocide.

USCIRF Policy Analyst Patrick Greenwalt joins us today to discuss the beginnings of the genocide, the situation of Rohingya inside and outside of Burma, and the steps the international community could take going forward.

Read USCIRF’s Factsheet on Pursuing Justice and Accountability for the Rohingya Community of Burma

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 10 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/4/2022

Date of Sentencing: February/3/2023

Date of Release: February/9/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Subversion

Sergio Cárdenas

Extra Bio Info:

Sergio Cárdenas was imprisoned in relation to criticism of religious freedom conditions.

On August 4, 2022, police prevented several people, including Cárdenas, a cameraman, from leaving the residence of Bishop Rolando Álvarez as the bishop was on his way to perform mass at a local cathedral. Álvarez had criticized the government’s recent closure of several Catholic radio stations and its human rights record. Alvarez, Cárdenas, and the other individuals in the residence remained under de facto house arrest as authorities investigated them for “organizing violent groups” and encouraging them “to carry out acts of hate against the population.”

On August 19, 2022, police detained Cárdenas and sent him to the Evaristo Vásquez Sánchez Police Complex.

On October 4, 2022, it was revealed that Cárdenas was charged with "conspiracy to undermine national integrity" and "propagation of false news."

On January 26, 2023, Cárdenas was reportedly found guilty. Prosecutors reportedly requested 10 years in prison.

On February 3, 2023, a judge from the Second Criminal District Court of Trials of Managua sentenced Cárdenas to 10 years in prison.

On February 9, 2023, Cárdenas was released from prison and exiled to the United States.

Related Cases: Rolando Álvarez, Ramiro Tijerino, Sadiel Eugarrios, Raúl Antonio Vega, José Luis Díaz, Darvin Leiva, Melkin Sequeira

Sources:

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 10 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/4/2022

Date of Sentencing: February/3/2023

Date of Release: February/9/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Subversion

Melkin Sequeira

Extra Bio Info:

Melkin Sequeira was imprisoned in relation to criticism of religious freedom conditions.

On August 4, 2022, police prevented several people, including Sequeira, a seminarian, from leaving the residence of Bishop Rolando Álvarez as the bishop was on his way to perform mass at a local cathedral. Álvarez had criticized the government’s recent closure of several Catholic radio stations and its human rights record. Alvarez, Sequeira, and the other individuals in the residence remained under de facto house arrest as authorities investigated them for “organizing violent groups” and encouraging them “to carry out acts of hate against the population.”

On August 19, 2022, police detained Sequeira and sent him to the Evaristo Vásquez Sánchez Police Complex.

On October 4, 2022, it was revealed that Sequeira was charged with "conspiracy to undermine national integrity" and "propagation of false news."

On January 26, 2023, Sequeira was reportedly found guilty. Prosecutors reportedly requested 10 years in prison.

On February 3, 2023, a judge from the Second Criminal District Court of Trials of Managua sentenced Sequeira to 10 years in prison.

On February 9, 2023, Sequeira was released from prison and exiled to the United States.

Related Cases: Rolando Álvarez, Ramiro Tijerino, Sadiel Eugarrios, Raúl Antonio Vega, José Luis Díaz, Darvin Leiva, Sergio Cárdenas

Sources:
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