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Recognizing Three Nicaraguan Prisoners of Conscience

Floor Speech

Date: March 22, 2023
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to place in the Record the names of three Nicaraguan political prisoners who were among those released and sent to the United States on February 23, 2023.

Luis Carlos Valle Tinoco, Karla Vanessa Escobar Maldonado, and Yader Antonio Polanco Cisneros joined the massive protests in Nicaragua in April 2018. All were denied due process, imprisoned in deplorable conditions, and refused access to medical care as their health declined just because they disagreed with their government.

They were recognized as prisoners of conscience by the Defending Freedoms Project of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, and I was privileged to serve as their advocate.

Some Nicaraguan prisoners who arrived here are well-known leaders, but many are not. They have been stripped of their nationality, lost everything, and have a tough road ahead.

The Ortega government must be held accountable for its crimes.

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