tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345077655916586498.post1657856777401108815..comments2008-10-16T11:18:15.386-04:00Ana Luisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17609153957749289166noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345077655916586498.post-91531412724016623622008-10-16T11:18:00.000-04:002008-10-16T11:18:00.000-04:00Feminists have actively supported and publicized the criminal case against Ortega for the sexual abuse of his stepdaughter, Zoilamerica, over many years -- a case that reached the InterAmerican Human Rights Court. While his political allies in the Nicaraguan Congress, both from the right and the left, officially "pardoned" his actions, the case has continued to plague Ortega as the investigation by the Court was underway. After many years, just two weeks ago, Zoilamerica withdrew the case because she endure the public pressure and family problems it had generated any longer. Feminists were troubled by the decision, but stand by her decision nonetheless, although they point at that she has never denied the charges. Nicaraguan feminists have consistently exposed the Ortega government's corruption and ties with the right (free marketeers and religious fundamentalists), which don't play well with much-needed friends like Venezuela and Cuba. In fact, the Ortega government has clear pacts with the right and the conservative church, thus it's decision to sign into law the criminalization of therapeutic abortion in 2007, a law that had been on Nicaragua's books for over 150 years - this removed the possibility of abortion to save a woman's life. So, again, it's about power -- it's both personal and political, and most certainly will get worse before it gets better. Women are now rallying around the Summit which brings all Central American leaders together in El Salvador at the end of the month. It's a visibility strategy at this point because such crucial democracy questions are not on the public agenda or in the mainstream press.Lisa VKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00230363980422321383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8345077655916586498.post-57075307531740187602008-10-16T10:46:00.000-04:002008-10-16T10:46:00.000-04:00It's true - we know nothing about this from the press in the US and elsewhere, and as non Spanish speakers. My question (to Lisa and other readers and bloggers here) is WHY? What is behind the Ortega government's actions? What do you and the Nicaraguan feminists understand as the point in their attacks on feminists in particular? We've all seen fiercely progressive opposition groups turn against their former allies, now critics, once they're in power, as you describe in the earlier blog - but are there particular factors at work here?Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154529600196644723noreply@blogger.com