Nicaragua: "The Women's Movement Is in Opposition"

In the past few months, members of Nicaraguan non-governmental organisations have accused the government of President Daniel Ortega of persecution and threats against them, including nine women's rights activists who face criminal charges as accomplices in the abortion undergone by "Rosita," a nine-year-old girl who was raped and impregnated by her stepfather in 2003.

The charges are unfounded, because at that time therapeutic abortion was legal, said Montenegro, the political coordinator of the Nicaraguan Autonomous Women's Movement.

Women's organisations are fighting for the repeal of the October 2006 law that criminalised therapeutic abortion, said Montenegro, a former FSLN member who is one of the country's leading women's rights activists.

Before the law came into force, the Criminal Code permitted termination of pregnancy when the mother's physical or mental health was in danger, including psychological harm from pregnancy arising from rape, when certified by at least three doctors.

"If this were influenza, a national epidemic would already have been declared," Montenegro said, referring to the deaths caused by the
criminalisation of any kind of abortion.

Montenegro reflected on these issues and Nicaraguan politics in an interview with IPS correspondent Ana Artigas at a Jun. 18-20 meeting of representatives of Latin American and Caribbean women's groups and Spanish development aid agencies, on women's rights and development aid instruments, held in the Uruguayan capital.

IPS: The Autonomous Women's Movement has reported government harassment of some activists. What sort of things are happening?

SOFÍA MONTENEGRO: There is harassment of civil society organisations, especially those involved in the struggle for human rights. But we particularly protest the accusation against nine women activists, relating to the case of a nine-year-old girl who became pregnant after she was raped by her stepfather.

These women helped find a solution for the little girl. She had an abortion, which at the time was permitted under the constitution.

After the right to therapeutic abortion was revoked, an agency with ties to the Catholic Church and to the government brought a lawsuit against these women, which is completely groundless.

IPS: What arguments have been presented by the defence?

SM: They have repeatedly argued that the accusation is invalid and should be dismissed, but it is being upheld. And as in Nicaragua the justice system is being increasingly used for political ends, these women have a sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.