Live
Audio Only
The Nicaraguan National Assembly approved the creation of truth commission to analyze the current political situation and protests that have resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people over the past two weeks.
The Truth, Justice, and Peace Commission, which will include religious leaders, academics, lawyers, students and social movements, will be formed within one week and will have three months to present its findings.
Protests broke out April 19 against the government’s proposed changes to social security and state medical benefits and only recently quieted. On April 16 the government announced it would implement a 0.75 percent increase in monthly contributions by workers to the state social security system, and a 3.5 percent increase in employer's contributions by January 2019.
The resolution also read that five percent of pension financing would go instead towards financing state medical services, a measure many feared would reduce their future pensions. Faced with pressure from protesters President Daniel Ortega announced last Sunday that the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) had repealed the measure.
In addition to the truth commission, on Friday, Nicaragua's Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the protests and deaths. "We will start a formal and responsible investigation into the loss of life of students and national police," Prosecutor Ines Miranda said.
Newsletter
