United States Representative Chris Smith (NJ-04), the Chair of the House Global Human Rights subcommittee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, today called on Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to provide proof that Bishop Álvarez is alive and to allow the Red Cross to examine the Bishop:

            “Bishop Álvarez, a courageous and compassionate servant of God, has suffered immensely at the hands of Daniel Ortega’s brutal regime for more than a year now. He reportedly remains unjustly imprisoned at the Jorge Navarro Penitentiary Complex, called La Modelo, which is notorious for its harsh conditions.

            “Since there has been no reliable evidence of the Bishop’s state of health or even that he is alive, I call on President Ortega to provide proof to the international community that Bishop Álvarez is still alive and to allow immediate access for the Red Cross to independently examine his health without restriction and without government officials or prison guards present.

            “The safety and well-being of Bishop Álvarez and the other religious and political prisoners who continue to be persecuted by the Ortega-Murillo regime is a top concern for the US Congress and defenders of human rights across the world. All religious and political prisoners should be released.

            “Additionally, I renew my request to President Ortega for assistance in securing a meeting for me with Bishop Álvarez in Nicaragua.”

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