IOE condemns the detention of the former President of Nicaraguan employer organisation

José Adán Aguerri, former President of the Nicaraguan business chamber, the Superior Council for Private Enterprise (COSEP), was arrested along with other opposition figures yesterday by the government of President Daniel Ortega.

The International Organisation of Employers (IOE) condemns in the strongest terms the arbitrary detention of Mr José Adán Aguerri and demands his immediate release along with the other detained officials. Mr Aguerri is currently being held in a prison in the capital, Managua. There are growing concerns that he is being subjected to torture while in detention. IOE insists that the police authorities immediately stop all torture and respect Mr Aguerri’s human rights.

Mr Aguerri was exercising his legitimate rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association, as recognised by the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention no. 87. Nicaragua ratified this Convention in 1967.

IOE deplores the growing recourse to detention to stifle political opponents. Judicial proceedings are increasingly being used in the country as a political tool to repress dissent.

IOE urgently requests that the ILO also condemn this arbitrary detention and use of violence.