The MRS is promoting a dialogue that would include a number of parties from across the political spectrum and address fears that the Ortega-Aleman pact will institutionalize a dangerous bipartisanship in the country. The Women's Network Against Violence took out half page ads this week in all three daily newspapers to kick off its new campaign. The ad directly takes on the issue of immunity, and calls on the state to offer concrete solutions to the ongoing problem of violence. In addition, five specific cases are mentioned, including the case of Zoilamerica Narvaez. The same day the Network also published a smaller ad, this one an open letter to the National Assembly calling on the Assembly to strip Daniel Ortega of his legislative immunity so that Zoilamerica Narvaez's legal case can move forward.
Triple murder sparks death penalty debate.
The horrifying murder of two young children and their housekeeper in Managua's Reparto Schick last Friday has touched off calls for the death penalty. Under Nicaraguan law, the most severe penalty that any criminal can receive is a 30-year sentence. Late this week, Oscar Espinosa confessed to killing his two stepchildren and their housekeeper. Her mother had allegedly found Espinosa exposing himself to the girl several months ago and that led to her eventually kicking him out of the house. When Espinosa was brought to the courts, he was nearly lynched by a mob of people who were held off by five riot police with some protective gear on.