6 Nicaragua Parties Urge End to State of Emergency

Six Nicaraguan political parties, including the Communists and Socialists, demanded Tuesday that the leftist Sandinista government lift an official state of emergency.

The demand, set out in a joint statement, was an unusual show of unity against government policy by parties that have generally backed the Sandinista revolution as well as others that have opposed it.

The Communists and Socialists, both small parties, continue to support the Sandinista revolution but in recent months have become increasingly critical of the Sandinista leadership.

Right of Assembly Curbed

On Oct. 15, the government issued a decree that broadened the three-year-old state of emergency, suspending guarantees of civil liberties such as freedom of expression, freedom to travel in the country and the right to assemble peacefully.

The Communists, Socialists and four other parties said that the state of emergency “denies and obstructs” political pluralism in Nicaragua. They said it does not promote peace between the Sandinistas and U.S.-backed rebels because it closes avenues of peaceful opposition.

The parties also said the state of emergency impedes civic participation in the process of drafting a new constitution for the nation.

‘Repressive Atmosphere’

“It is practically impossible to carry out consultations on the drafting of a new constitution in the repressive atmosphere now existing in Nicaragua,” said Erick Ramirez, president of the Social Christian Party.

Of the six parties that joined in the statement, the Social Christians are the most hard-line in their opposition to the Sandinistas. The others, in addition to the Communists and Socialists, are the Democratic Conservative Party, the Independent Liberal Party and the Central American Unionist Party.

The opposition Social Democratic Party, which previously criticized the state of emergency, did not join in the new statement. Social Democratic leaders could not be reached for comment.

The state of emergency has been in force since 1982, when the Sandinistas said it was needed because of the guerrilla campaign against their government. The emergency measures were softened last year during the campaign for elections, which took place in November.

Need Explained

When the state of emergency was expanded Oct. 15, officials said the government might need strong measures to control unrest stirred up by counterrevolutionary forces.

Several political and labor leaders, including Social Christians, Social Democrats, Communists and Socialists, have been detained and warned to limit their political activities.

Elias Altamirano, secretary general of the Communist Party, said he is worried by what he called the Sandinistas’ “totalitarian tendencies.” He said the government alienates potential political allies with measures such as the state of emergency.

“The state of emergency favors the aggressive plans of imperialism against Nicaragua,” Altamirano said.