Updates Archive – C

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UPDATE AND ACTION ALERT
IN SUPPORT OF DOROTHY GRANADA
AND THE WOMEN'S CLINIC OF MULUKUKU
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January 14, 2001

DEAR FRIENDS of Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku,

 This message is divided into four sections: 1) Update; 2) Analysis; 3) Suggested Actions; and 4) Contact Numbers.

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1) UPDATE:

· MESSAGE FROM DOROTHY. First of all, Dorothy sends her love and gratitude to all for your amazing support over the last few weeks. She is fine and tells us that - for the first time - she feels hopeful. This week promises to be important in Nicaragua. Here is why:

· HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT. The Ombudsman of the Human Rights Commission of the National Assembly is likely to issue his report on the investigation into the closing of the clinic in Mulukuku and the government's charges against Dorothy Granada. The report is expected to be favorable.

· APPEALS COURT. There are signs that the Appeals Court will soon issue its verdict on whether to allow Dorothy a hearing to fight her deportation order. In the past few days, the Nicaraguan newspapers have implied that the government may be softening its position. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Jose Marenco, has publicly stated that he will respect the decision of the Appeals Court.

· CAUSE FOR HOPE? Later this week, both the Nicaraguan government and representatives of its non-governmental organizations (NGOs) head to Spain for a meeting of the Regional Consultative Group to discuss regional development. The government's persecution of the NGO's may be brought to the table. To prevent criticism, the government may try to resolve the situation before these meetings. President Aleman has had conciliatory talks with Ana Quiros, president of the Coordinadora Civil (the organization representing civil society) saying he is interested in a solution satisfactory to both sides.

· SANDINISTAS SUPPORT DOROTHY. Last Wednesday, President Aleman gave his fourth and final "state of the nation" report in the National Assembly to open the next legislative session. As he was saying "with pride and satisfaction I proclaim that during my liberal government's reign there has not been, nor will ever be, political prisoners, nor have we ever disrespected or limited in any way the freedom of the press," two Sandinista legislators unfurled a huge banner right next to him demanding that the government cease its repression of Dorothy Granada. Spanish-speakers can access the article in the digital edition of El Nuevo Diario which can be found under "What's New" on the website that Daniel Zwickel has been maintaining especially for this emergency campaign. Dorothy told us she loves it.

· ECUMENICAL LETTER. Today, Sunday, a paid ad consisting of an open letter to the president was scheduled to appear in the two major newspapers. The ad represents a coordinated effort by U.S. and Nicaraguan churches and faith-based organizations. The letter addresses the broader issue of Nicaragua's treatment of NGOs and foreign assistance. It calls upon the Nicaraguan government to create a climate which is open to international aid and to end the persecution of humanitarian workers. It specifically calls for the Women's Cooperative and Clinic in Mulukuku to be reopened and for an end to the attempts to deport Dorothy Granada. This powerful letter is included below and as an attachment.

· FREEDOM OF THE PRESS?? Interestingly, although La Prensa initially approved the ad and accepted payment for it, at the last moment they informed us that the editorial board had decided not to print it.

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2) ANALYSIS:

We have posted an analysis of the current situation in an attempt to answer the oft-heard questions, "Why is all this going on? What is behind the attacks on Dorothy Granada? Why has the government shut down the only clinic in a poor rural area? Why is this crisis so important to women's groups, human rights groups and civil society in Nicaragua?" This helpful analysis is posted here on our website.

The analysis puts the crisis in Mulukuku in the context of problems with the government's posture towards NGO's in general. Since the government is now talking with representatives of civil society about resolving these problems, the plight of Dorothy and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku could be resolved in the process of these discussions.

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3) SUGGESTED ACTIONS:

· PRESIDENT ALEMAN AND JOSE MARENCO, his Minister of Internal Affairs, are coming under increasing pressure to come to an acceptable agreement with the NGOs., if they wish to continue receiving international development aid. This is a very good week to fax letters to both of them. Ask them to respect the rights of the NGO's to continue their essential roles in providing for the basic necessities of the Nicaraguan people. Let them know that people around the world are interested and are watching the situation closely.

· EMERGENCY FUNDS continue to be very important to the success of this momentous struggle for human rights and health care in Nicaragua. Those wishing to contribute funds to help with Dorothy's legal and other emergency expenses can make checks out to St. Boniface Episcopal Church, mark them "Emergency Fund," and send them to the Women's Empowerment Network, 309 Cedar, PMB 547, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Contributions are tax-deductible.

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4) CONTACT NUMBERS

President Arnoldo Aleman
Fax: 011-505-228-7911

Ingeniero Jose Bosco Marenco Cardenal, Ministro de Gobernacion (Internal Affairs)
Fax: 011-505-222-7778

Please let us know of your progress and/or send us copies of your letters by email or fax.

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HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY FOR ALL,

Jill Winegardner and Gerry Condon
Santa Cruz Support Committee for Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku (Women's Empowerment Network)
Tel/fax: 831-768-7004
Jill Winegardner

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January 12, 2001

Honorable President Arnoldo Aleman
Managua, Nicaragua

Dear President Aleman:

For twenty years, aid organizations, economic development agencies, faith-based organizations, human rights groups, education promoters, and medical teams from around the world have formed partnerships with Nicaragua to rebuild its economic, social, and religious institutions. The tangible and intangible contributions of these groups have aided the transition to democracy in Nicaragua and have produced valuable connections between Nicaragua and the world community.

Actions of the Aleman administration to discredit one such organization, Ayuda Obrera Suiza, to close the Maria Luisa Ortiz Cooperative in Mulukuku, and to deport an international health worker, Dorothy Granada, are the most recent in a series of actions against international partners. Prohibitive duty on contributed goods, harassment of non-governmental organizations and their staff, and reckless accusations against people who work tirelessly on behalf of Nicaragua's poorest people give rise to grave concerns for us. The current climate of intimidation of non-governmental organizations is unacceptable. Our solidarity with the people of Nicaragua continues to guide us in our advocacy efforts and we are dedicated to supporting strong civil society engagement in Nicaragua.

Given the recent attention on Nicaragua in international fora due to its consideration for acceptance into HIPC, Nicaragua can ill afford the erosion of trust and cooperation that threatens its partners.

Dr. Aleman, as representatives of faith-based and non-governmental organizations working in partnership with Nicaraguan civil society, we urgently request the following:
Allow the Maria Luisa Ortiz Cooperative and Clinic to resume operation;

Fulfill the government's obligation to provide heath services to Mulukuku;

End efforts to deport Dorothy Granada;

Be a responsible steward of contributed resources;

Uphold the climate of openness to international partnership;

Stop all unwarranted harassment of aid workers;

Implement a policy and take actions to promote cooperation with the non-governmental organizations that are working for the development of the Nicaraguan people.
Respectfully, we wish you and the people of Nicaragua a year of grace and peace.

Ms. Brenda Girton-Mitchell, Esq.
Director of the Washington Office and Associate General Secretary for Public Witness
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA

Marie Dennis
Director
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

Dr. Gustavo Parajon
President
CEPAD (Concilio de Iglesias Evangelicas Pro Alianza Denominacional)
Managua, Nicaragua

Dr. Benjamín Cortés Orochena
Secretary General
CIEETS (Centro Intereclesial de Estudios Teologicos y Sociales)

Reverendo Miguel Tomas Castro
Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel
San Salvador, El Salvador

Dra. Noemy Espinoza
Comunidad Cristiana Mesoamericana
Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Nadine L. Monn
Consulting Specialist
Latin American/Caribbean Office
Church of the Brethren

Janet G. Chisholm
Interim Co-Executive Director
Fellowship of Reconciliation

Rabbi David Saperstein
Director
Union of American Hebrew Congregations

Mary H. Miller
Executive Secretary
Episcopal Peace Fellowship

Reverend David Vargas
Executive for the Latin American & Caribbean Global Ministries
United Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ

Rev. Eleanora Giddings Ivory
Director
Washington Office
Presbyterian Church USA

cc:

The Honorable Alfonso Ortega, Ambassador Embassy of Nicaragua

Ingeniero Jose Bosco Marenco Cardenal, Ministro de Gobernacion (Internal Affairs)

Licenciada Mariangeles Arguello, Ministra de Salud (Health)

Dr. Benjamin Perez Fonseca, Procurador de Derechos Humanos (Human Rights)

Dr. Enrique Chavarria, Presidente de la Sala Penal del Tribunal de Apelaciones de Managua (Appellate Court)

U.S. Ambassador Oliver Garza, U.S. Embassy in Managua

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end of update of 1/14/01
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UPDATE AND ACTION ALERT
IN SUPPORT OF DOROTHY GRANADA
AND THE WOMEN'S CLINIC OF MULUKUKU
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January 16, 2001

DEAR FRIENDS of Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku,

 Below you will find a REFRESHINGLY SHORT update with GOOD NEWS and positive, focused you can take to support Dorothy Granada and the people of Nicaragua.

This message is divided into four sections: 1) Update; 2) Analysis; 3) Suggested Actions; and 4) Contact Numbers.

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1) UPDATE:

· HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT IS "EXCELENTISIMO." On Monday, January 15, at a press conference in Managua, Nicaragua's Ombudsman for Human Rights issued a 20-page report highly critical of the government's actions against Dorothy Granada, which he said violated her constitutional rights under Nicaraguan law as well as her human rights under international law. Both Nicaraguan dailies, La Prensa and El Nuevo Diario, gave prominent coverage of this story in today's papers (Tues. 1/16/01). We will post portions of the decision on the website as soon as we receive English translations. Likewise, we will post English translations of the Nicaraguan press reports. Our own press release is printed below.

· APPEALS COURT. The Appeals Court decision is expected soon, but as of today (Tues. 1/16/01) there is no news.

· THE TERRIBLE EARTHQUAKE IN EL SALVADOR HAS DELAYED MADRID MEETING of the Regional Consultative Group. This meeting of Central American governments, businesspeople and nongovernmental organizations with international donors appeared to be providing a context for conciliation between the Nicaraguan govt. and NGOs, including possibly a solution to the plight of Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku. It is not yet known what impact, if any, this delay will have.

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2) ANALYSIS:

Dorothy Granada and her Nicaraguan supporters believe that the report of the Human Rights Commission, which is part of the Nicaraguan government, is very significant and very helpful. It may be a big paving stone on the way toward a reversal of the unjust actions against Dorothy and the clinic in Mulukuku.

The Human Rights Commission of the National Assembly has been under intense pressure from President Aleman due to the independent stances they have taken in a number of their investigations. Already their budget has been slashed nearly in half. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THEY RECEIVE LOTS OF SUPPORT FOR THE COURAGEOUS STAND they have taken for truth and human rights. See below under Suggested Actions and Contacts.

We have written an analysis of the current situation in an attempt to answer the oft-heard questions, "Why is all this going on? What is behind the attacks on Dorothy Granada? Why has the government shut down the only clinic in a poor rural area? Why is this crisis so important to women's groups, human rights groups and civil society in Nicaragua?" This helpful analysis is posted here on our website (see: Analysis of Nica Crisis.

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3) SUGGESTED ACTIONS:

· THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION and its chief ombudsman, Benjamin Perez Fonseca, have taken a courageous stand in issuing a report so critical of the government's violations of Dorothy Granada's human rights. Concerned activists in Nicaragua believe the Human Rights Commission will "suffer repercussions" and that it is important they receive international support. Please fax them or email them at the contact numbers provided below. Congratulate them. Tell them their courageous dedication to the truth bodes well for the future of human rights in Nicaragua and the world. They will appreciate messages in either Spanish or English.

· PRESIDENT ALEMAN AND JOSE MARENCO, his Minister of Internal Affairs, are coming under increasing pressure to come to an acceptable agreement with the NGOs. Please fax letters to both of them. Ask them to respect the rights of NGOs to continue their essential roles in providing for the basic necessities of the Nicaraguan people. Ask them to abide by the report of the Human Rights Ombudsman and end the persecution of Dorothy Granada. Ask them to reopen the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku. You may also wish to send them copies of your congratulatory messages to the Human Rights Ombudsman.

· SEND THE PRESS RELEASE TO YOUR MEDIA CONTACTS, be they local, national, mainstream or progressive. Help us get the word out. The press release is printed below and attached as a Word file. Feel free to alter it to give it a local flavor and contacts, if appropriate.

· EMERGENCY FUNDS continue to be very important to the success of this battle for human rights. Those wishing to contribute funds to help with Dorothy's legal and other emergency expenses can make checks out to St. Boniface Episcopal Church, mark them "Emergency Fund," and send them to the Women's Empowerment Network, 309 Cedar, PMB 547, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Contributions are tax-deductible.

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4) CONTACT NUMBERS

Benjamin Perez, Procurador
Procuraduria para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos
Fax: 011-505-268-2789, or email: procuracion@pddh.org

President Arnoldo Aleman
Fax: 011-505-228-7911

Ingeniero Jose Bosco Marenco Cardenal, Ministro de Gobernacion (Internal Affairs)
Fax: 011-505-222-7778

Please let us know of your progress and/or send us copies of your letters by email or fax.

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HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY FOR ALL,

Jill Winegardner and Gerry Condon
Santa Cruz Support Committee for Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku (Women's Empowerment Network)
Tel/fax: 831-768-7004
Jill Winegardner

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For Immediate Release
January 16, 2001 		     


Contact: Jill Winegardner, Gerry Condon
831/ 768-7004, 831/ 768-1556
NICARAGUAN GOVERNMENT VIOLATED U.S. NURSE'S RIGHTS
Human Rights Ombudsman Calls for End to Persecution of Dorothy Granada.

In another blow to the Nicaraguan government's efforts to detain and deport U.S. citizen Dorothy Granada, the Human Rights Ombudsman of Nicaragua's National Assembly has denounced the government's actions. "The Minister of Internal Affairs (Gobernación), José Marenco Cardenal, violated the human rights of Ms. Dorothy Granada, the North American director of the María Luisa Ortiz clinic in Mulukuku," was the resolution of the Commission in Defense of Human Rights after investigating the case for nearly a month.

According to the Commission, itself a part of the government, the injuries committed against Granada by the cabinet minister include a violation of the right to live free from violence, the right to be heard, the presumption of innocence, the right to be informed of the accusations against her, the right to equality before the law, and the right of individual liberty.

The Commission's 20-page report was issued Monday at a press conference in the Nicaraguan capital of Managua.

According to chief ombudsman Benjamin Pérez, the resolution is the result of investigations carried out by the Human Rights Commission of Dorothy Granada, whom the government has accused of political proselytizing, practicing abortions, and protecting irregular elements of the Frente Unido Andrés Castro (FUAC). "We found no evidence to support these charges," said Pérez, after interviewing the accusing parties and making "on site" visits to the rural village of Mulukukú.

Perez recommended that the government "correct the immediate and future effects that damage the rights" of the 70-year-old nurse. He gave the Minister of Internal Affairs, José Marenco Cardenal, five days to notify the Commission in writing about "what methods it would adopt to restore the rights of Ms. Dorothy Virginia Granada."

In the meantime, Granada, who for 11 years has been directing a women's health clinic in rural Nicaragua, remains in hiding to avoid the government's attempts to arrest and deport her. The clinic she directed in Mulukuku, a poor village in central Nicaragua, has been closed down. And women's groups, human rights groups and health advocates in Nicaragua, the U.S. and internationally are calling on the Nicaraguan government to reverse its actions against Granada and the clinic.

On December 14, a Nicaraguan judge ruled that the Nicaraguan government had acted illegally in its attempts to deport Dorothy Granada because it had not granted her a hearing and had violated her due process rights. The government has appealed this decision and an Appeals Court is due to announce its findings soon.

The Women's Clinic in Mulukuku is supported by a network of churches and medical professionals in the United States. On Sunday, El Nuevo Diario, a daily newspaper in Managua, published an open letter from religious leaders in the U.S., Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras, calling on President Arnoldo Alemán to reopen the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú and to end his threats to close down many nongovernmental organizations.

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end of update of 1/16/01

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UPDATE AND ACTION ALERT
IN SUPPORT OF DOROTHY GRANADA
AND THE WOMEN'S CLINIC OF MULUKUKU

www.PeaceHost.net/Dorothy
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January 23, 2001

DEAR FRIENDS of Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku,

 Dorothy and the people of Mulukuku are continuing their struggle for health care and human rights, and chalking up some victories along the way. Now is the right time for us to redouble our efforts on their behalf.

This message is divided into four sections: 1) Update; 2) Analysis; 3) Suggested Actions; and 4) Contact Numbers.

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1) UPDATE:

· NPR'S "MORNING EDITION" INTERVIEWS DOROTHY GRANADA. This morning (1/23/01) on NPR's popular news program "Morning Edition," Dorothy Granada was interviewed by Gerry Hadden, NPR's correspondent for Latin America. The 5 ½ minute report also included interviews with one of Dorothy's cancer patients in Mulukukú, with an important leader of the Coordinadora Civil, Ana Quiros, and with Sandinista presidential candidate Daniel Ortega. It was an excellent report, one we have been encouraging for some time. This is Dorothy's biggest media coup yet in the U.S. An audio recording of the report is available on the NPR website. After reaching this page, just scroll down to "Nurse Deportation," and click on 14.4 or 28.8, depending on your modem speed. If you have RealAudio and speakers, you should be able to listen to this report on your computer.

· "NOT A SINGLE ABORTION IN DOROTHY'S CLINIC," reads the headline of an article printed in El Nuevo Diario last Friday, January 19, 2001. It is a report of an official investigation of the Institute of Legal Medicine, part of the Judicial Branch. The investigation was carried out at the request of the Criminal Investigation Division of the National Police. Medical investigators carried out a detailed inspection of the clinic facilities in Mulukukú, interviewed patients, and even physically examined three women. These examinations were carried out against the women's will and the women were reported to be extremely humiliated. Other women in Mulukukú are reportedly afraid they may suffer similar abuse.

"We did not find in the clinic evidence that there had been any abortions performed; there does not exist the equipment, the instruments nor the infrastructure that would indicate this," reported Dr. Zazarías Duarte, sub director of the Institute of Legal Medicine and one of two doctors who made the investigation. According to El Nuevo Diario, Dr. Duarte added that what they did find in the inspection was a clinic which offers primary healthcare to women, early attention to cancer, family planning and childbirth services. The report of the investigation came just days after Nicaragua's Human Rights Commission ruled that the Internal Affairs Minister, José Marenco was violating Dorothy Granada's constitutional rights and international human rights (see www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/archivo.)

· INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR DOROTHY IS A BIG FACTOR in the thinking of some in the Nicaraguan government. Dr. Benjamín Pérez, Chief Ombudsperson of the Human Rights Commission, said that Dorothy "has proven to be a world figure. I have received correspondence from all America, France, Spain and Oceania, asking me to advocate for her, to speak in favor of Dorothy." According to the Sunday edition of the Nicaraguan daily newspaper, El Nuevo Diario, Pérez has been sending copies of all the letters he has received to President Alemán, saying that "it is not explained why Dorothy, being an honored and awarded citizen in several countries, should not be credited for her humanitarian labor on behalf of the humble men and women of Mulukukú."

"I am the Ombudsperson and this does not inhibit me from making reflections, nor from making suggestions to the supreme authorities that they consider the consequences…. The evidence against Dorothy is weak and cannot be sustained," Pérez told El Nuevo Diario. "On the other hand, the testimonies in favor of Dorothy are immense, varied and universal." (See www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/archivo.)

· DOROTHY GRANADA ON NICARAGUAN TELEVISION. On Sunday evening (1/21/01) Dorothy was interviewed on Nicaraguan television by Carlos F. Chamorro. The very personal and sympathetic interview was also printed in the weekly Confidencial, and large excerpts appeared in Monday's El Nuevo Diario (1/22/01) under the headline "I love Nicaragua, that is why I persevere." (See www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/archivo.)

· APPEALS COURT IS TO RULE ON CASE THIS WEEK, according to a statement from their office late last week. Hopeuflly, the Appeals Court will uphold a lower court ruling that Dorothy Granada's due process rights have been denied and she has the right to a hearing. Whoever loses in court this week has the right to appeal.

· ALEMAN: "DOROTHY MUST GO." President Arnoldo Alemán and his Minister of Internal Affairs seem to be signaling they will defy the Appeals Court decision just as they have defied the reports of their own government's Human Rights Commission and police agencies. In today's edition of La Prensa (1/23/01) President Alemán asserts that the granting of residency in Nicaragua is something "which corresponds to no Tribunal of Justice, but rather is the function of the Executive Power in the figure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs ("Gobernación"). Alemán also said that Dorothy Granada will have to leave the country in order to return and negotiate her Nicaraguan residency if she wants to have everything in order.

For his part, Minister of Internal Affairs José Marenco has absolutely rejected the findings of the Human Rights Commission and maintains that "the deportation order of Dorothy Virginia Granada is in force and needs no correction." (See www.laprensa.com.ni.

· PRESIDENT BUSH ACTS AGAINST FAMILY PLANNING. On his very first day in office, George W. Bush, with the stroke of a pen, cut off U.S. funding to any international organizations offering abortions, and, effectively, even family planning information. As we can see with the closing of the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú, even birth control counseling without abortion services can easily come under attack.

· LA PRENSA PRINTS ECUMENICAL LETTER. An open letter to President Arnoldo Alemán, signed by religious leaders from the U.S., Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras was published in the Saturday, January 20, edition of Nicaragua's largest daily newspaper, La Prensa. The paid ad had been printed the previous Sunday in El Nuevo Diario but La Prensa, after agreeing at first to print it, then declined to do so. Later they explained that there had been an administrative error. They apologized and printed the paid ad, which calls on President Alemán to create a more open climate for international humanitarian aid, to reopen the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú, and to allow Dorothy Granada to continue her work in that clinic. The text of this letter is available on our website @: Ecumenical Open Letter.

· A BEAUTIFUL LETTER FROM NICARAGUA, written by three U.S. visitors from the Sisters of Notre Dame, gives a fresh and interesting perspective on the impact of the "Dorothy affair" in Nicaragua. You'll find a link to the letter on the homepage of our website @: Sisters' Letter.

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2) ANALYSIS:

WE ARE WINNING the battle for public opinion, in Nicaragua, in the U.S. and internationally. While such an extended "emergency," requiring repeated urgent actions, can become old and tiresome, let us consider how much has been accomplished.

· First of all, Dorothy Granada, by realizing it was in the interests of the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú that she NOT be deported, by having the courage and wisdom to go into hiding, and the stamina to hold out how ever long was useful and required, has provided a focus for international support for her beloved friends, the people of Mulukukú.

· Some of the most responsible citizen leaders of Nicaragua have rallied around Dorothy and the Women's Clinic, realizing that the government's attack is a "showcase," meant to threaten all nongovernmental organizations (according to Ana Quiros on NPR's "Morning Edition" (1/23/01)).

· Human rights organizations in Nicaragua, the United States and internationally have taken up the case and made appeals to the Nicaraguan government and generated letters of support from all over the world.

· Many Senators and Representatives have been contacted by their constituents, are familiar with the case, and have made inquiries to the State Dept. and the U.S. Embassy in Managua. The U.S. Embassy is very conscious that this is a concern of many Congressional offices and that they must at least act to protect the safety and due process rights of Dorothy Granada.

· The needs of the poor in Nicaragua and their neglect and abuse at the hands of the current government have been greatly exposed to many people in the U.S. and around the world who had not even heard the word "Nicaragua" in some years.

· The strong coordinated response by U.S. supporters of the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú and Nicaraguan supporters of Dorothy Granada have strengthened the ties of solidarity between progressives and people of faith in both countries.

This is all excellent, but unfortunately the government of Arnoldo Alemán continues to demonstrate great intransigence in this matter. If anything, it can be surmised that, after all the humiliation, they are even more determined to have their revenge against their scapegoat, Dorothy Granada.

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3) SUGGESTED ACTIONS:

AT THIS TIME OUR TASK IS TO MAINTAIN THE PRESSURE ON BOTH GOVERNMENTS to do the right thing. Right now, as Alemán prepares to defy the Appeals Court decision, due this week, it is critically important that we remind our own Congressional representatives and governmental officials that we want them to use their influence to put an end to this injustice.

· CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES AGAIN! The NPR story and the pending Appeals Court decision make this a perfect week to get back to your Congressional representatives and let them know of your continuing concern.

Ask them to contact the U.S. State Department and U.S. Ambassador Garza in Managua. Most Senators and Representative made "inquiries" the first time around. By now, after multiple investigations have failed to support a single accusation against Dorothy Granada, it is time for our government to say "hands off Dorothy and the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú."

· FAX OR CALL U.S. AMBASSADOR GARZA YOURSELF. Let them know that you expect them to protect the human rights of a U.S. citizen carrying out humanitarian work. As Dorothy said in a recent Nicaraguan television interview, the Embassy is not shy about intervening on behalf of U.S. citizens who own property in Nicaragua.

· ARNOLDO ALEMAN AND JOSE MARENCO, Nicaragua's President and Minister of Internal Affairs, are the ones behind all of this. As intransigent as they seem to be, they are not immune to pressure. They need to continue to hear from us.

· EMERGENCY FUNDS continue to be very important to the success of this battle for human rights. Those wishing to contribute funds to help with Dorothy's emergency expenses can make checks out to St. Boniface Episcopal Church, mark them "Emergency Fund," and send them to the Women's Empowerment Network, 309 Cedar, PMB 547, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Contributions are tax-deductible.

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4) CONTACT NUMBERS

U.S. Ambassador Oliver Garza at the U.S. Embassy in Managua
Tel: 011-505-266-6010
Fax: 011-505-266-3865
E-mail: garzaop@amemb.org.ni

President Arnoldo Aleman
Fax: 011-505-228-7911

Ingeniero Jose Bosco Marenco Cardenal, Ministro de Gobernacion (Internal Affairs)
Fax: 011-505-222-7778

Please let us know of your progress and/or send us copies of your letters by email or fax.

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HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY FOR ALL,

Jill Winegardner and Gerry Condon
Santa Cruz Support Committee for Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku (Women's Empowerment Network)
Tel/fax: 831-768-7004
Jill Winegardner

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end of update of 1/23/01
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