International human rights watchdog demands Nicaraguan government uphold human rights protections for wrongfully imprisoned pastors

WASHINGTON, DC (1 May 2024) In response to a petition filed by ADF International, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has called on the government of Nicaragua to ensure the health, personal integrity, and life of 11 pastors and ministry leaders currently imprisoned in the country. The individuals have been imprisoned for over four months and barred from contacting legal counsel or family on sham convictions of money laundering. They received prison sentences ranging between 12 and 15 years in addition to over 80 million dollars in fines per person.   

By granting precautionary measures, the Commission has mandated the government of Nicaragua to “adopt the necessary measures to protect the rights to life, personal integrity and the health of the 11 religious leaders.” The Commission has also demanded Nicaragua’s response and compliance with the measures, in anticipation of receiving a formal complaint against the State for its alleged human rights abuses.  

“We are grateful to the Inter-American Commission for their expedited intervention on behalf of the 11 pastors and ministry leaders,” stated Kristina Hjelkrem, legal counsel for ADF International. 

 “No person should be imprisoned or punished for their faith, but that is exactly what has happened with these religious leaders. It is our prayer that Nicaraguan authorities will uphold the human rights and dignity of these pastors, and that they will release them from their wrongful imprisonment.”       

ADF International is supporting the legal defence of the imprisoned pastors, and filed the precautionary measures request with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on behalf of those fraudulently convicted.  

Background  

Puerta de la Montaña is the Nicaraguan branch of a U.S.-based ministry whose stated purpose is to recruit, train, commission, and send out ordained Christian ministers to spread the Gospel. Operating legally within the country, Puerta de la Montaña served the citizens of Nicaragua through discipleship, church planting, feeding, and clothing to those in need, providing assistance during natural disasters, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

On December 2023, the Nicaraguan Police issued a press release announcing a money laundering investigation into the 11 religious leaders, in addition to three American citizens. The police’s claim was that they purportedly were using the organization Puerta de la Montaña as a front. The press release also announced that the police had arrested 11 Puerta de la Montaña representatives, including its pastors, other ministry leaders, and the legal representative of the ministry, and would investigate the U.S. citizens involved with the organization. That same month, without notification, Puerta de la Montaña’s registration as a ministry in Nicaragua was arbitrarily revoked, and the government seized all of the ministry’s property and assets.  

The ministry publicly denied these allegations, stating that they followed all legal requirements in the U.S. and Nicaragua that apply to non-profit and faith-based organizations.  

During the sham trial that followed the arrest, the government was unable to produce any evidence of the alleged illicit activity or alleged unlawful funds. All accused maintained their innocence, but remained in prison.  

Puerta de la Montaña’s religious leaders now have been imprisoned for over four months, unable to contact their legal counsels or their families. The government has allowed for lawyers to be appointed, but has not provided their legal counsels with any charging documents or files to adequately prepare a defence.   

A formal conviction was handed down on 19 March 2024, sentencing the 11 individuals to 12 or 15 years in prison and to pay over 80 million dollars in fines per person.    

Members of the U.S. Senate, including Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Katie Britt (R-AL) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), are advocating on the imprisoned individual’s behalf, recently calling on the Biden Administration to “implement strong, targeted sanctions following the repeated & escalating violations of religious freedom in Nicaragua”.  

In addition, Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL), led a bipartisan, bicameral letter addressed to the Ambassador of Nicaragua that expressed concern over religious freedom violations and called for the release of the pastors. The letter was signed by 58 Members of Congress. In response to the situation, Congressman Aderholt said: “It was religious persecution that detained them, and it is blatant human rights violations that have kept them detained – these pastors must be released immediately.” 

Religious persecution prevalent in Nicaragua  

ADF International is also supporting the legal defense of Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who was sentenced to 26 years in prison for preaching on human rights violations perpetrated by the Nicaraguan government. Bishop Álvarez, expelled from Nicaragua for his religious convictions, is now in exile. His case continues before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in the hopes of achieving justice for the bishop and setting a positive precedent for others facing similar trials in Nicaragua.