Amaya Eva Coppens, a medical student at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua in Leon was arrested after a peaceful protest on September 10, 2018. She is currently being held in preventative detention in La Esperanza prison. CCS has written the President of Nicaragua requesting a review of this case and if grounds for arrest are founded she be assured a prompt and fair trial with access to her family and her attorney. If there are no grounds for arrest CCS asks that she be immediately released and charges dismissed. Also, CCS is asking that the government assure her safety.
Daniel Ortega Saavedra
President of the Republic of Nicaragua
Frente a Palacio Nacional, calle 4 Noroeste
Managua, Nicaragua, 11001
Fax: +505 2228 9090
Twitter: @EPP Nicaragua @DanielOrtega_Ni
Dear President Saavedra:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We write to express our grave concerns for Amaya Eva Coppens, a medical student at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua in Leon (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua en León UNAN-Leon), who was arrested after a protest, without a warrant, on September 10, 2018. We are concerned that her arrest may be related to her peaceful political activities.
She is currently being held in preventative detention in “La Esperanza” prison. Before that, she was held incommunicado for nine days in “El Chipote” prison. She has not been granted access to her attorney nor her family members.
This year, both the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the United Nations have observed and reported on serious human rights violations against protestors and students, and we are concerned for the well-being of Amaya Eva Coppens in the current threatening climate.
We urge you to review this case, and if there appears to be grounds for a trial, that she receives a prompt and fair trial, in line with internationally recognized standards, as well as access to her attorney and her family. If the charges against her are unfounded, we urge that she be immediately and unconditionally released, and that your government take all steps necessary to ensure her safety and respect her rights to participate in peaceful protests.
Thank you for your attention to this most important matter, and we look forward to receiving your response.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
cc:
Francisco Obadiah Campbell Hooker
Ambassador
Embassy of Nicaragua
1627 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-939-6570 I Fax: 202-939-6545
Email: fcampbell@cancilleria.gob.ni -OR- mperalta@cancilleria.gob.ni