February 2, 2001
The Honorable Arnoldo Alemán
Presidencia de la Republica
Casa de la República
Managua, Nicaragua
Dear President Alemán:
At the request of many U.S. citizens from all parts of the United States, we are writing to strongly express our concern about the human rights and legal rights of Dorothy Virginia Granada, a U.S. citizen living in Nicaragua. Ms. Granada is a 70-year-old nurse and healthcare advocate who has been living and working as director of a small health clinic in the poor rural town of Mulukuku in central Nicaragua.
Dorothy Granada is held in very high esteem both in the United States and internationally. In 1997 she was awarded the International Pfeffer Peace Prize for her lifelong work for social justice and nonviolence. She represents the commitment to universal peace, justice, and human rights.
We understand that Ms. Granada has been accused of a number of offenses that would be considered crimes or the basis for deportation. Specifically, your government has accused Ms. Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku of performing abortions, which are illegal in Nicaragua. Ms. Granada and the clinic staff were also charged with serving only supporters of the opposition Sandinista Party, of using the clinic for the purposes of proselytizing on behalf of the Sandinistas and of providing medical services to a group of leftist guerrillas. These accusations have been seriously investigated by several Nicaraguan governmental and nongovernmental bodies, and each accusation has been found to be unsupported by credible evidence.
We are also concerned about the closing of the women's health clinic which she has been directing for more than 10 years. This clinic is the primary health care facility for a population of 30,000 in one of Nicaragua's poorest regions. The particular focus of the clinic has been maternal and child nutrition, preventive health care, including child survival and reproductive health, child birth services, and family planning, as well as early treatment for cancer. These vital services coincide almost perfectly with the health care priorities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Nicaragua. USAID has also investigated the clinic and found its work to be exemplary.
From 1990 through the year 2000, U.S. economic assistance to Nicaragua has totaled well over $1 billion. One of the stated goals of this assistance is to strengthen democracy in Nicaragua. According to USAID, "We will do so by helping Nicaraguans consolidate the rule of law through accelerated reform and modernization of the judicial system and by strengthening of key democratic institutions: the Human Rights Ombudsman's office, the Public Defender office and the legislature...We will continue to provide civic education and support civil society groups to foster an informed and active citizenry." We understand that some of these same democratic institutions have advocated for an end to the prosecution of Dorothy Granada. We sincerely hope they will be heard.
We have followed the findings of the Nicaraguan institutions investigating this case. Both the independent Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights and your own government's Human Rights Ombudsman's office have found that Dorothy Granada's constitutional and human rights have been violated and they have called upon you to remedy this situation. Amnesty International has also put out a worldwide action alert in support of the personal safety and due process rights of Dorothy Granada. Several police investigations of Ms. Granada and the Women's Clinic have found no evidence of any criminal wrongdoing or deportable offense. Therefore, many people in both the U.S. and Nicaragua are calling for the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku to be reopened and for Dorothy Granada to return as its director. We wish to add our voices to this call.
As representatives of the U.S. people, we urgently implore you to respect the findings of these human rights, judicial and police institutions and to allow Dorothy Granada to return to Mulukuku and resume her life-giving work in a reopened Women's Clinic. We also implore you to respect and nurture the institutions of Nicaraguan democracy and to support the governmental and nongovernmental organizations that are bringing much needed assistance to Nicaragua's people.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your prompt reply.
Sincerely,
_____________________________
SAM FARR, M.C. (D-CA)
_____________________________
CYNTHIA McKINNEY, M.C. (D-GA)
_____________________________
ALBERT WYNN, M.C. (D-MD)
_____________________________
LYNN WOOLSEY, M.C. (D-CA)
_____________________________
PETER DEUTSCH, M.C. (D-FL)
_____________________________
JOSEPH CROWLEY, M.C. (D-NY)
_____________________________
WILLIAM DELAHUNT, M.C. (D-MA)
_____________________________
BOB FILNER, M.C. (D-CA)
____________________________
DARLENE HOOLEY, M.C. (D-OR)
_____________________________
MAXINE WATERS, M.C. (D-CA)
_____________________________
DENNIS KUCINICH, M.C. (D-OH)
_____________________________
LOUISE SLAUGHTER, M.C. (D-NY)
_____________________________
THOMAS H. ALLEN, M.C. (D-ME)
_____________________________
LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, M.C (D-CA)
_____________________________
GEORGE MILLER, M.C. (D-CA)
____________________________
BERNARD SANDERS, M.C. (I-VT)
_____________________________
JOHN TIERNEY, M.C. (D-MA)
_____________________________
PETER DeFAZIO, M.C. (D-OR)
_____________________________
BARBARA LEE, M.C. (D-CA)
_____________________________
RON KIND, M.C. (D-WI)
_____________________________
EARL HILLIARD, M.C. (D-AL)
_____________________________
EARL BLUMENAUER, M.C. (D-OR)
_____________________________
DANNY DAVIS, M.C. (D-IL)
_____________________________
JAMES MORAN, M.C. (D-VA)
_____________________________
TAMMY BALDWIN, M.C. (D-WI)
_____________________________
NANCY PELOSI, M.C. (D-CA)
_____________________________
DAN BURTON, M.C. (R-IN)
_____________________________
JAN SCHAKOWSKY, M.C. (D-IL)
_____________________________
BRIAN BAIRD, M.C. (D-WA)
_____________________________
WILLIAM LACY CLAY, M.C. (D-MO)
_____________________________
SHERROD BROWN, M.C. (D-OH)
cc:
Ambassador Alfonso Ortega, Embassy of Nicaragua, Washington, D.C.
Ingeniero Jose Bosco Marenco Cardenal, Ministro de Gobernacion, Managua
Licenciada Mariangeles Arguello, Ministra de Salud, Managua
Ambassador Oliver P. Garza, U.S. Embassy, Managua
Mr. Peter Romero, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Dept. of State
Mr. Gregory Thome, Chief, Nicaragua Desk, U.S. Dept. of State
- Subject: Dorothy Celebrating !!
Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2001 22:27:29 -0800
From: Jill Winegardner and Gerry Condon
UPDATE AND ACTION ALERT
IN SUPPORT OF DOROTHY GRANADA
AND THE WOMEN'S CLINIC OF MULUKUKU
www.PeaceHost.net/Dorothy
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February 7, 2001
DEAR FRIENDS in the Struggle for Justice and Dignity,
DOROTHY GRANADA IS CELEBERATING a big victory that belongs to all of us. At the bottom of this update is a message to you from Dorothy. If you don't have time to digest the rest of this information right now, just go straight down to Dorothy's message.
GOVERNMENT TO APPEAL? In a short statement printed in the daily newspaper La Prensa today, Nicaragua's Internal Affairs Minister Jose Marenco stated that he would appeal Dorothy Granada's recent legal victory to Nicaragua's Supreme Court. This would appear to contradict Marenco's statement, read on the radio on Tuesday, that he and President Aleman were ending their efforts to deport Dorothy Granada.
DOROTHY SAYS NOT TO WORRY. She believes this is little more than face-saving posturing. Her lawyers say an appeal to the Supreme Court would be only perfunctory and would have no chance of winning. Dorothy plans to return to Mulukuku and work to reopen the Women's Clinic. Aside from saving face, Jose Marenco is trying to take away from Dorothy and her supporters their sense of victory. This he will not accomplish. The celebration continues!
Nonetheless, it may be premature on our part to start thanking the Nicaraguan government for finally doing the right thing. Well, at least they have accepted that this is, after all, something for the courts to decide. We are waiting for further clarification on their position and guidance from Dorothy as to what our next steps should be.
TOMORROW IS DOROTHY'S BIG DAY! At the advice of her lawyers, who wished to absolutely clarify her legal situation, Dorothy postponed her "coming out of hiding" press conference for 24 hours until 8 am Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Ben Linder House in Managua. No doubt, Ben will be there and he will be smiling.
Later in the morning, Dorothy will visit the U.S. Embassy to thank them for their help in securing her constitutional and human rights.
********************************************
DOROTHY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS
ON THURSDAY, FEB. 8, FROM 1PM TO 3 PM
(here in California, 11am-1pm)
Any interested media, small or large, can arrange an interview by calling Gerry Condon at (831) 768-7004 or emailing him at jwinegardner@igc.org
*********************************************
A LARGE VICTORY CELEBRATION will take place beginning at 7 pm Thursday evening at Puntos in Managua. Dorothy will be a wearing a beautiful dress and dazzling everybody. Wish we could all be there!
JILL WINEGARDNER IS IN NICARAGUA. She flew down last weekend and will be returning next weekend. (Great timing, that Jill!) She has been spending time with Dorothy. She also was interviewed in Monday's La Prensa and Tuesday's El Neuvo Diario as our representative, the representative of the U.S. support network. Because her arrival coincided with the arrival of the Congressional letter to Aleman, she was treated in the media as if she were almost the emissary. She reports that the letter had a HUGE impact and that many Nicaraguans are still talking about it.
BE SURE TO THANK YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, whether they signed on to this letter or for whatever inquiry they may have made some time along the way. This was very, very important. They definitely helped us win this important battle for human rights. If they get enough praise and positive feedback, who knows, it could become a habit with them!
***************************************************
MAKE A VICTORY DONATION! Emergency funds are still needed. There are unpaid bills and expenses yet to be accrued. We are determined not to touch monies designated for the work of the Women's Clinic. Help us wrap up this emergency and move on to the nurturing and caring. In the event there are "extra" monies raised, they will go to the work of the clinic. Those wishing to contribute funds to help with Dorothy's legal and 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.
*****************************************************
MANY PEOPLE ARE SENDING THEIR THANKS and congratulations to Jill and me, as well as to Dorothy, of course, and her Nicaraguans supporters, the whole network of us. Well, believe me, sitting here in Jill's house at the central phone and computer in the emergency response network has been quite a humbling experience. This has been a truly remarkable collaboration where many people made important contributions. Arguably, the biggest contributions were also the routine, the mundane: that is, writing that letter and getting it faxed down to Nicaragua. Making that third call to your member of Congress. Passing on the update to more people on your own list. Sending in a financial contribution. Sharing ideas and words of encouragement. And finally, just NOT GIVING UP!
Si, se puede!
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MESSAGE FROM DOROTHY
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As Dorothy said on Tuesday, when asked if she had any special words for her supporters in the U.S.:
"What it is truly amazing is that all of the solidarity efforts and all of the letters have added up to turn a situation around not only for our community in Mulukuku but for manypoor communities around the country.
These efforts are really going to give life to many thousands of poor. The poor here know and appreciate the solidarity - both the poor and those who care about human rights. We have to appreciate that every little effort helps. No good work is wasted."
Venceremos!
Gerry Condon
Friends of Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku (Women's Empowerment Network)
(831) 768-7004
jwinegardner@igc.org
- Subject: Hello from Managua
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 21:18:41 -0800
From: Jill Winegardner and Gerry Condon
UPDATE AND ACTION ALERT
IN SUPPORT OF DOROTHY GRANADA
AND THE WOMEN'S CLINIC OF MULUKUKU
www.PeaceHost.net/Dorothy
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– Margaret Mead
February 14, 2001
DEAR FRIENDS of Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku,
GREETINGS FROM NICARAGUA! This update is written by Jill and Dorothy and is sent with much gratitude to all for your letters, faxes, calls, donations, communications with the media and prayers for Dorothy and for the people of Mulukuku. As you will read below, this victory has broad implications for justice in Nicaragua and for solidarity among ourpeoples.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to email difficulties, Jill has added a temporary backup account, jwinegardner01@hotmail.com
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UPDATE
AS YOU KNOW, the Appeals Court nullified the government's deportation order against Dorothy and reinstated her residency here. Internal Affairs Minister Jose Marenco responded by stating that he would appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. Each side was to submit their reports on the case by February 13, and the government failed to do so. However, they now have another 6 days in which to respond. The Court is required to render a decision within 60 days, but has been known to delay decisions beyond their deadlines in the past.
WE EXPECT A RULING IN DOROTHY'S FAVOR because the government simply has exhausted its accusations and all investigations have found no basis for any wrongdoing. To the contrary, every report has highly praised the fine work of the clinic.
IF THE COURT DOES RULE AGAINST DOROTHY, the government must then bring new accusations and give her a legal hearing. They cannot deport her without following the correct legal procedures. All along, Dorothy has asked nothing more than to be given her due process rights under the law.
REPRESENTATIVE SAM FARR, D-CA, called Dorothy today to congratulate her and to inquire as to the status of the case. Dorothy expressed her great appreciation for his help and told him that the letter from him and his colleagues to the President was crucial.
PRESIDENT ALEMAN'S RESPONSE in the newspapers was that Dorothy's residency permit will not be renewed when it expires next September. In that case, she would have to leave the country. Nicaragua will elect a new president in November, so hopefully she would be able to return if a government of a different party is elected.
THE NICARAGUAN PEOPLE'S RESPONSE has been utterly overwhelming. Every radio show mentions her. She appeared on two television programs late last week, one of which was a call-in program. The callers all lavished praise on Dorothy, calling her revolutionary (to the chagrin of the host, who is a Liberal, but who himself adores her and offered all the resources of his TV station to her). One of the callers stated that he was a Liberal who was ashamed of the actions of his government.
The media has been almost unanimously supportive; all but the government-run TV and radio stations. Every other media communication,whether in the newspapers, the television, or the radio, has taken up the call for justice in Mulukuku.
People in the streets are talking about this case. Our friends all tell stories of overhearing conversations on the street corners, in stores, and everywhere, about doņa Dorotea. Everywhere she goes, people recognize her and greet her with joy. Yesterday, we went food shopping and many vendors and other shoppers stopped us with congratulations.
THE CELEBRATION IN MULUKUKU is set for this Thursday. The people are preparing the fiesta and thousands are expected to welcome Dorothy and celebrate her homecoming. Our return will include a caravan of vehiclesof media, governmental Human Rights Ombudspersons, Dr. Vilma Nunez of the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights, Dr. Ana Quiros, President of the Coordinadora Civil, representatives of the women's movement, representatives of the Union of Farmers and Cattle Ranchers, the Director of Ayuda Obrera Suisa, a representative of the Sandinista Party and many more supporters.
*******************************************************
RELATED GOOD NEWS
AYUDA OBRERA SUISA, (Swiss Workers Aid) the Swiss governmental organization that funds some of the Cooperative's programs in Mulukuku and was closed down by the government in December, re-opened its doors yesterday, February 12.
NOCHARI, the non-governmental organization (with various programs of self-help that serve 500 families) that was suspended in the fall after its director won the mayor's seat with the Conservative Party, has won its court battle and will re-open soon.
FETSALUD, the health workers labor union, held a highly successful march of 3000 to 4000 people last week to demand that the Ministry of Health respect the salary increases authorized by the National Assembly but not implemented by the Minister of Health, who said she needed the money for other reasons.
*The secretary of FETSALUD said that their march was so successful directly because the people were motivated by the power of the 10,000 strong march for Dorothy and Mulukuku. FETSALUD is threatening a nationwide strike on February 20 if their demands are not met. The daily headlines now are full of patients clamoring for medicine and for their rights to health care.
*******************************************************
ANALYSIS - WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE FUTURE?
IN NICARAGUA this case has been profound. People everywhere are talking about the rights of the people of Mulukuku to their health clinic. Even the people of El Hormiguero, the community that was served by the recent medical delegation from Indiana when they could not go to Mulukuku, are now calling for their own health clinic. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is being attacked at every level for failing to provide mandated salaries to health workers, for internal corruption, and for inadequate care and lack of medicines and supplies. These voices have been strengthened by Dorothy's consistent focus on the health rights of the poor.
In all her public statements, Dorothy has kept her focus on human rights and on reconciliation. She has educated us all in her nonviolent witness which demands that opponents are not blamed but offered opportunities to change their positions with dignity.
She has also spoken on the underlying causes of poverty and lack of social services. Her clear analysis describes the ways that the current global economic neoliberal system, with its structural adjustment demands on poor countries, leads directly to the end result: dire poverty, neglect and death for the people of Mulukuku, as well as for the vast majority of the world's poor.
Organizations involved in community development and social services here are now working on strategies for keeping this perspective in the public view and for maintaining the hopefulness and sense of possibility that has been created.
FROM THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES OF ABUNDANCE, this case has brought much needed attention to Nicaragua and has rejuvenated interest in human rights here. We, too, can take this moment to launch a new wave of solidarity.
There are many factors that made our U.S.-based campaign so powerful. Of these, three stand out: first, the coalition of groups including religious, human rights, and solidarity, all working together with a single focus. The second factor is the use of the Internet and our ability to create a central website and send hundreds of e-mails out instantly. Third, the fact that Dorothy has strong ties across the U.S. generated by her tours and by the many delegations and visitors to Mulukuku has created a powerful personal connection to this community.
*******************************************************
ACTIONS
BE SURE TO THANK YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, for signing on to the Congress letter or for whatever inquiry they may have made some time along the way. They need to hear how much their constituents value their support for human rights.
THE HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN, Dr. Benjamin Perez, played a key and courageous role in this case. The good news: he told us that he has been invited as a special guest to a human rights gathering in Washington as a direct result of his actions in this case. His office received an average of 250 e-mails and other messages a day from all around the world, and he says this support was vital.
The bad news: the budget for his Human Rights office has been slashed by the government in response to his independence and willingness to rule against the executive branch's actions. They now must appeal for funds from elsewhere. We can help by continuing to show our appreciation for their integrity and honesty - these letters help them a great deal when they are applying for financing from abroad - and connecting them with any resources for the protection of human rights that you know. Reach him at: Benjamin Perez, Procurador Procuraduria para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos Fax: 011-505-268-2789, or email: procuracion@pddh.org
SUPPORT NON-GOVERNMENTAL GROUPS WORKING IN NICARAGUA. If you need ideas, contact Jill and Gerry at the address below.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL AND NATIONAL NICARAGUA-CENTRAL AMERICA SOLIDARITY GROUPS. The Nicaragua Network has been especially active in publicizing this case to its audience and in mobilizing resources, and we want to give them a big thanks.
MAKE A VICTORY DONATION! Emergency funds are still needed. There are unpaid bills and expenses yet to be accrued. We are determined not to touch monies designated for the work of the Women's Clinic. Help us wrap up this emergency and move on to the nurturing and caring. In the event there are "extra" monies raised, they will go to the work of the clinic. Those wishing to contribute funds to help with Dorothy's legal and 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.
MESSAGE FROM DOROTHY
***************************************
Truly, the words that come to me seem inadequate to express how grateful I am for the support of each of you. This effort and its success have not only saved our work in Mulukuku, but are also making positive contributions toward health and justice for the poor here in Nicaragua. Please know that the thousands of campesinos whom you have enabled us to continue to serve send their heartfelt gratitude.
Gandhi's teaching of firm, nonviolent resistance has served us well.
Much love and abrazos
Dorothy
*****************************************
Friends of 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 2/14/01
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