- Title: Nicaragua's Ortega dismisses accusations of rights abuses
- Date: 30th August 2018
- Summary: MANAGUA, NICARAGUA (AUGUST 29, 2018) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF PRO-GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS MARCHING MARCHERS ON ROAD MARCHER WITH BANDANNA FEATURING COLOURS OF PRESIDENT DANIEL ORTEGA'S SANDINISTA MINISTER MARCHER IN MILITARY FATIGUES, WITH BANDANNA OVER FACE THAT FEATURES SANDINISTA COLOURS MARCHER WEARING T-SHIRT THAT READS "I AM SANDINISTA. LONG LIVE DANIEL (ORTEGA)" GENE
- Embargoed: 13th September 2018 04:27
- Keywords: Managua Nicaragua pro-government march President Daniel Ortega human rights protests United Nations report
- Location: MANAGUA, NICARAGUA
- City: MANAGUA, NICARAGUA
- Country: Nicaragua
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0018VDOCW3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:President Daniel Ortega dismissed international accusations of human rights abuses in Managua on Wednesday (August 29), after the United Nations released a report that accused the Nicaraguan government of turning a blind eye while armed mobs loyal to the president rounded up protesters.
Thousands of supporters aligned with Ortega's Sandinista movement marched on the capital in a show of strength and support for the government. Many of those marching are reportedly public servants employed by the government.
After months of protest, the Central American country is suffering one of the worst political crises of its history. Proposed cuts to the pension system announced in the spring triggered months of protests that have expanded to encompass a range of concerns against Ortega's government.
But Ortega has dismissed criticism from within the country and internationally, accusing protesters of being coup mongers in the Central American nation.
Also on Wednesday, the United Nations spoke to media on its report that documented human rights violations between April 18 and August 18 in Nicaragua. It has criticised the government for the disproportionate use of force and extrajudicial killings by the police, disappearances, widespread arbitrary detentions and instances of torture and sexual violence in detention centres.
The violent crackdown on protests against President Daniel Ortega, a former Marxist guerrilla leader, has drawn international condemnation. The U.N. report said over 300 people had been killed and 2,000 injured. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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