Nicaragua condemns murder of Nicaraguan citizen by Costa Rican armed police

MINISTERIO
DE
RELACIONES EXTERIORES
_________
Managua, Nicaragua

Managua, August 14, 2019
MRE/DM-AMM/1245/8/2019

TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND CULT
REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA

We greet you on the occasion of referring to the criminal events that occurred on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 11:22 p.m., in the area known as Parcelas de Villa Hermosa, two kilometers from the border with Nicaragua, Niño River, Upala sector, Province of Alajuela, Costa Rica, where fourteen (14) members of the Costa Rican Public Force, using excessive force and improper use of firearms, caused the death of Nicaraguan citizen Henry Ruiz López, of 45 years of age, with citizen identification number 568-160374-0000F, as well as the violent detention of five other Nicaraguan citizens, with surnames; Ramos Barahona, Ramos Cárdenas, Ramos, Ruiz Ramos and a minor.

This excessive use of force and firearms was not justified, since the deceased Nicaraguan citizen and the arrested Nicaraguan citizens, were not carrying firearms and did not assault or threaten in any way, the lives or physical integrity of the members of the Costa Rican Public Force or other people who might have been in the area. This condemnable action contravenes the Code of Conduct for Officials Responsible for Enforcing the Law, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly of the (UN), in its Resolution 34/169, of December 17, 1979; and that states in article 2: “In carrying out their duties, law enforcement officials will respect and protect human dignity and maintain and defend the human rights of all people;” in Article 3: “Law enforcement officials may use force only when strictly necessary and to the extent required by the performance of their duties,” and in Article 6: “Law enforcement officials will ensure the full protection of the health of the people in their custody and, in particular, will take immediate measures to provide medical care when needed.”

The Government of the Republic of Nicaragua presents its strongest condemnation to the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and demands the corresponding investigations and sanctions for those who murdered Nicaraguan citizen Henry Ruiz López and violently captured five Nicaraguan citizens, who must be immediately released.