IACHR Grants Precautionary Measures in Favor of Yoel Ibzán Sandino Ibarra in Nicaragua

May 9, 2022

Washington, D.C. — On May 5, 2022, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 21/22, through which it granted precautionary measures in favor of Yoel Ibzán Sandino Ibarra, in Nicaragua, whom it deems to be at serious, urgent risk of suffering irreparable harm to his human rights.

According to the petitioner, Mr. Sandino Ibarra has been identified or is perceived as being an opponent of the current government. He has been deprived of his freedom since November 5, 2021, and has not received medical attention. The information provided by the State makes it impossible to determine whether the alleged risk factors have been duly mitigated.

After analyzing the factual and legal allegations put forward by the parties, the IACHR assessed the threats and harassment that Mr. Sandino Ibarra was subjected to prior to being deprived of his freedom in response to his criticism of the Nicaraguan government via his social media accounts. It also noted that he was deprived of his liberty during the presidential elections and has not received the medical attention he needs, despite suffering from a chronic illness.

Consequently, in accordance with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR requested that the state of Nicaragua:

1. take the necessary measures to guarantee the rights to life, health, and personal integrity of Yoel Ibzán Sandino Ibarra;
2. ensure that his conditions of detention are compatible with applicable international standards on the matter, including i) allowing him to have contact with his relatives and defense attorneys; ii) ensuring that his current health status is evaluated through an impartial, specialized medical assessment, taking into account the situation of risk to life, personal integrity, and health; iii) ensuring that any treatments and medications that the proposed beneficiary is prescribed are provided;
3. agree on any measures to be adopted with the proposed beneficiary and his representatives; and
4. report on the actions it implements to investigate the alleged events that led to the adoption of this resolution so as to prevent them from being repeated.

The fact that this precautionary measure has been granted and its adoption by the state does not entail a prejudgment on any petition that may eventually be filed before the inter-American system to allege that the rights protected by the American Convention and other applicable instruments have been violated.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 094/22

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