Nicaragua protests escalate

[Derechos]

Source: Al Jazeera

Nicaragua protests escalate


Pro-Ortega protesters have also laid siege to offices of opposition parties

Pro-government protesters in Nicaragua president have blockaded the country's parliament in an effort to block opposition politicians from overturning a controversial presidential decree.

The supporters of Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua's leftist president, took to the streets for a second day on Wednesday following violent protests which left three opposition politicians with light injuries.

As well as surrounding parliament, protesters were also reported to have laid siege to the headquarters of the main opposition parties and the homes of several politicians.

Tension has risen in Nicaragua since a ruling by the country's supreme court last November which cleared the way for Ortega to seek re-election in 2011.

The opposition is now seeking to overturn the president's decree extending the terms of 25 top magistrates and civil servants, which they say is intended to help him secure his re-election.

They argue the decree violates the Nicaraguan constitution, and say that they have gathered the necessary 47 votes to overturn it.

"What they are showing is their fear of the majority being in power," opposition lawmaker Eduardo Montealegre said of the protestors.

http://english.aljazeera.net//news/americas/2010/04/20104220721905660.html

[Bacchus39]

1. update on this

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100423/wl_afp/nicaraguapoliticsopposition_20100423043438

Nicaragua legislature meets as protests continue

MANAGUA (AFP) – Opposition lawmakers have arrived at Nicaragua's legislature under heavy police escort as the body convened for the first time in two days amid protests by supporters of President Daniel Ortega.

Protestors have rallied outside the National Assembly for days seeking to stop opposition right-wing representatives from repealing a decree Ortega issued that lengthens the terms of some 25 top magistrates and civil servants.

Tension has risen in Nicaragua since a Supreme Court ruling last November cleared the way for Ortega to seek re-election in 2011.

The opposition claims Ortega's decree is intended to help him secure re-election and say they have gathered the necessary 47 votes to overturn it.

The decree was not addressed during Thursday's parliamentary session, which members of Ortega's political party said was "a people's victory," accusing of the opposition of having tried to "boycott" parliament.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, protestors had blocked access to the legislature, throwing stones and homemade rockets at the building and opposition lawmakers who tried to enter.

Three opposition politicians were lightly wounded on Tuesday, and a spokeswoman for a group supportive of ex-presidential candidate Eduardo Montealegre accused demonstrators of setting fire to opposition members' cars.

The United States is "concerned that the mob violence that has taken place in Nicaragua is hindering democratic political processes, undermining respect for human rights, and eroding the rule of law," the US State Department said late Thursday.

"We encourage all Nicaraguans to remain calm, embrace peaceful discourse and dialogue, and adhere to respect for the rule of law," said spokesman Charles Luoma-Overstreet.

"We urge the government of Nicaragua to take steps to end mob harassment of opposition members and we urge the police to ensure the safety and security of all Nicaraguans," he added.

Ortega's leftist government has yet to comment on the demonstrations.

On Wednesday, Jose Miguel Insulza, the head of the Organization of American States, expressed his "deep concern."

He stressed the need to "resolve political differences, particularly those between state representatives, through dialogue."

Ortega led the 1979 Sandinista uprising that ousted the regime of US-backed dictator Anastasio Somoza and served as president from 1985-1990. He was re-elected in 2006.

[protocol rv]

2. Typical Bolzhevik tactic

They'll use violence when they know legal means will be used to stop them.

[subsuelo]

3. why do you hate the Left so much?