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- Subject: Dorothy is invited back to Nicaragua
Date: Mon, 04 Feb 2002 21:04:51 -0800
From: Jill Winegardner<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
UPDATE AND ACTION ALERT
IN SUPPORT OF DOROTHY GRANADA
AND THE WOMEN'S CLINIC OF MULUKUKUwww.PeaceHost.net/Dorothy
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>February 4, 2002
DEAR FRIENDS of Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú,
We are thrilled to report that Dorothy has won the final victory in her struggle to live and work in Mulukuku. On Friday, February 1, her supporters in Nicaragua received word that the new president, Enrique Bolaños, ordered that all restrictions against her immediate return be lifted.
Dorothy is delighted, as are all of her supporters in Nicaragua and here. Read on for the details! Dorothy asks that we all send messages of thanks to President Bolaños and to her key supporters in Nicaragua.
You'll be hearing more in a few days from Dorothy. She is planning her return to Nicaragua for later this month.Dorothy has returned to U.S. soil. After warm good-byes in Mulukuku and Managua, extensive press coverage, and a visit to the U.S. Embassy, she left Nicaragua on Friday to start her national tour. In Nicaragua, the Supreme Court was harshly criticized for failing to act on her case and the country turns its attention to the upcoming presidential elections.
Below you will find our familiar format: 1) Update; 2) Analysis; 3) Suggested Actions; and 4) Contact Information.
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SATURDAY'S EDITIONS (02/02/02) of the Nicaraguan newspapers El Nuevo Diario and La Prensa both herald the government's decision to allow Dorothy Granada to return to Nicaragua (see link below). The headline in El Nuevo Diario reads "Dorothy to Nicaragua" with the subtitle "Government corrects injustice and opens the doors to her."
(To view articles, click on: "Articles".)
The article went on to say, "Doña Dorotea Granada, expelled from the country last year by the government of Alemán, may enter the country again, thanks to a decision of the government of Enrique Bolaños. According to the governmental decision, she may enter the country whenever she wishes. Now it is official. The decision has been confirmed by the Director of Immigration Luis Rodolfo Toruño. He in turn received the order from the Minister of Internal Affairs, Arturo Harding. And Harding had been instructed by the legal department of the Presidency to take all possible measures to open the borders to doña Dorotea. The order came from above, from President Enrique Bolaños."
The article goes on to state that the Presidency stated that there were no good reasons for Dorothy's expulsion and that moreover, the expulsion was unjust. Dr. Vilma Nuñez of the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights and Dr. Benjamin Perez Fonseca of the Human Rights Commission of the government both expressed their satisfaction at the decision. Dr. Nuñez said that this decision of the government is a victory for all, for Nicaragua, and serves as an example of the unjust way in which the government of Alemán behaved toward Dorothy.
The END article goes on to state that the decision to permit entry to Dorothy included the possibility that she could adopt Nicaraguan nationality, if she wished.
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This victory is terribly important for a number of reasons. For Dorothy, it is the end of a nightmare that she might not be allowed to return to her beloved Mulukuku. And for the Mulukukeños, they can look forward to the continued operation of the health clinic and many other vital programs that Dorothy supports (with all of your help). Those of you who know Grethel will not be surprised to know that she is absolutely ecstatic.
Beyond Mulukuku, though, this has been Nicaragua's most significant human rights case in recent history. Restoring Dorothy's human rights sends a strong signal that the present government is willing to distance itself from the irregularities of President Alemán's reign and take a position to uphold the law and support human rights.
And for the non-governmental organizations, the decision represents an opportunity to solidify the legitimacy and value of the work of NGO's and other segments of civil society.
Finally, this decision strengthens the bonds between the Nicaraguan people and us, their supporters abroad. The campaign to support Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukuku has been a great example of international solidarity. A high degree of coordination between activists in Nicaragua and the U.S., coupled with a relentless grassroots campaign targeting officials in both governments, achieved a victory we can all now celebrate.
Countless people in both countries and internationally played key roles at various points of this campaign. Two who deserve particular mention are Amnesty International, who made Dorothy's situation a focus for international human rights activists, and the Nicaragua Network, which consistently mobilized their network behind the many emergency response efforts. The unity we enjoyed was not only international but also among many groups in the U.S. who have solidarity ties with the Nicaraguan people.
We can take this opportunity to tell President Bolaños that we are very happy with his actions on behalf of Dorothy and that it renews our hope for the strengthening of human rights and the valuing of civil society and non-governmental organizations in Nicaragua. Our thank you messages to Benjamin Perez, Vilma Nuñez, and Ana Quiros validate and support their work in these areas.
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· SEND THANK YOU MESSAGES to President Enrique Bolaños. Thank him for supporting Dorothy's human rights, the health rights of the people of Mulukuku, and the democratic institutions of Nicaragua.
· SEND MESSAGES OF THANKS AND SUPPORT to the key people in Nicaragua who worked tirelessly on her behalf last year. These include Dr. Vilma Nuñez of the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights, Ana Quiros of the Coordinadora Civil, and Dr. Benjamin Perez Fonseca of the government's Human Rights Commission. They need to know that people in the U.S. and elsewhere support their fine work on behalf of human rights in Nicaragua.
· Please send copies of these letters to us, the Women's Empowerment Network, at this e-mail or wempowermentn@yahoo.com or by fax to 831-425-8727.
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President Enrique Bolanos
Fax: 011-505-228-9298
E-mail: fsanchez@mipres.gob.ni, gregorio@ibw.com.niDr. Benjamin Perez Fonseca
Ombudsman for the Defense of Human Rights,
Government of Nicaragua
Fax: 011-505-268-2789
E-mail: procuracion@pddh.orgDra. Vilma Nuñez, President
Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (CENIDH)
Fax/phone: 011-505-266-8405
Email: cenidh@ibw.org.ni.Ana Quiros Viquez
Enlace Nacional de la Coordinadora Civil
Ccer@ccer.org.ni
Fax: (505) 266 22 37
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TO ORDER THE VIDEO OF MULUKUKU AND DOROTHY'S STRUGGLES THIS YEAR, OR FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IT:
Jill Winegardner
831-768-7004
HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY FOR ALL,
Jill Winegardner and Gerry CondonSanta Cruz Support Committee for Dorothy Granada and the Women's Clinic in Mulukukú (Women's Empowerment Network)
Tel/fax: 831-768-7004
wempowermentn@yahoo.com<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
End of update of February 4, 2002
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P.S.:
Subject: Message for Dorothy's supporters
Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2002 08:29:28 -0800
From: Ana Quirós Víquez
Dear Friends of Dorothy:
We have been getting your letters of gratitude that we will share with our colleagues of the Coordinadora Civil.
On tuesday 5th, we met with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Engineer Arturo Harding and his Viceminister to show our respect for the government for the decision made and to talk about the relation between his Ministry and NGO´s. Harding told us that he expects to be able to meet Dorothy as soon as she comes back to assure her that they are willing to support her work and to let her and the women of the Cooperative in Mulukuku carry their activities in peace.
We know that this is a triumph for Dorothy, for the women of Cooperative, for the people of Mulukuku, for us from the nicaraguan organizations that accompanied them in their struggle, for you the people in the United States and abroad that supported their demand for justice, but mostly for the people of Nicaragua that needs signs of hope from its government.
We will protect this victory and we will continue to struggle for justice for all.
--
ANA QUIRÓS VÍQUEZ
Correo electrónico: cisas@cisas.org.ni
De Aval Card 75 vs. Abajo, Barrio Bolonia
Managua, Nicaragua
Tel (505) 2663690 - 2661662
Fax (505) 2662237
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