From Words to Actions

Published in La Tribuna
(Honduras) on 22 June 2018
by Editorial (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Kaleb Vick. Edited by Helaine Schweitzer.
One of the issues that has kept listeners in suspense is the scandal of children being separated from their immigrant parents and caged in detention centers. These revelations provoked so much public outrage the White House reacted by issuing an executive order to stop the embarrassing spectacle. Presumably, these and other actions were taken by immigration authorities in response to the "zero tolerance" policy promulgated by the U.S. attorney general. However, by proceeding with the most recent executive order, parents will be taken along with their children to immigration detention centers. The White House has urged lawmakers once and for all to definitely resolve this uncertainty by approving immigration reform.

So the ball is back in the court of the United States Senate and House of Representatives. Except that it's easier said than done. The question is, can representatives and senators agree on something that is acceptable to the White House? That is what has long prevented any law from being passed that not only repairs a dysfunctional immigration system, but also resolves, in a human and just way, the situation of the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who are living in or entering the United States without legal permission.

The other issue that keeps the decent public in suspense, not only because of how close it is, but because of how quickly the situation has degenerated, is the Nicaraguan conflict. After the Episcopal Conference twisted the Nicaraguan regime's arm, it officially invited international human rights organizations to send delegations to the country. This reopens the possibility of resuming the dialogue suspended by the bishops after a previous wave of violence that resulted in another dozen deaths. However, the rebellious city of Masaya, self-proclaimed as a territory detached from the Sandinista authority, remains in fierce opposition to the anti-riot forces and the "mobs" linked to the government. That is the scenario that captures everyone’s attention at this moment. The beastly assaults by government forces trying to regain control of the city have not managed to subdue the opposition. But the Catholic bishops there not only act as mediators, but also act as quite the protagonists. A caravan of bishops moved to Masaya to avoid another massacre. On the streets along the road that leads to the town, the convoy was cheered by crowds leaving their homes and offices to show their support.

(Here during the post-election conflict, although the Episcopal Conference opportunely urged politicians to negotiate, it took on the expected conciliatory role of spiritual leaders, favoring international mediation). "Let the world know!” Bishop Báez wrote on social networks, that the Nicaraguan government is preparing riot and paramilitary forces to perpetrate another massacre in the defenseless indigenous neighborhood of Monimbó, Masaya. "No doubt that denunciation motivated the Cardinal of Nicaragua, the auxiliary bishop of Managua, and the apostolic nuncio to abandon a celebration in Managua, a "Day of Prayer" for the country, in order to move to Masaya. There they were received by the residents who came out, elated, to thank them for their presence. They met with the police commissioner to make a commitment to stop the repression and release the detainees. Now it is expected that the dialogue will begin again.




UNO de los temas que ha mantenido en suspenso al auditorio es el escándalo de niños separados de sus padres inmigrantes enjaulados en los centros de detención. La irritación provocada en la opinión pública por esas revelaciones fue tal que la Casa Blanca reaccionó con una orden ejecutiva para detener ese bochornoso espectáculo. Se presume que esas y otras acciones tomadas por la autoridad inmigratoria responden a la política “tolerancia cero”, puesta en práctica por la Fiscalía General. Sin embargo, con la reciente orden ejecutiva a partir de ahora, los padres serán llevados junto a sus hijos a centros de detención de inmigrantes. La Casa Blanca ha instado a los legisladores a que de una vez por todas resuelvan en forma definitiva esta incertidumbre, aprobando la reforma inmigratoria.

Así que la pelota pasa nuevamente a la cancha del Senado y de la Cámara Baja en los Estados Unidos. Solo que de lo dicho a lo hecho hay todo un trecho. El enjambre es que congresistas y senadores puedan acordar algo que sea potable para la Casa Blanca. Eso es lo que ha impedido, durante todos estos años, que salga una ley no solo que repare un sistema inmigratorio disfuncional sino que resuelva, en forma humana y justa, la situación de los cientos de miles de inmigrantes indocumentados.

El otro asunto que mantiene en ascuas al amable público, no solo por la cercanía sino por lo rápido que degeneró aquella situación, es el conflicto nicaragüense. Ahora después que la Conferencia Episcopal le torció el brazo al régimen nicaragüense, enviaron la invitación oficial a los organismos internacionales de derechos humanos para que envíen delegaciones al país. Ello reabre las posibilidades de reanudar el diálogo suspendido por los obispos después de otra ola violenta que contabilizó otra docena de muertos. Sin embargo, la ciudad rebelde de Masaya –autoproclamada como territorio desligado de la autoridad sandinista– se mantiene en férrea resistencia contra las fuerzas antimotines y las “turbas” ligadas al gobierno. Ese es el escenario que acapara toda la atención en este momento. Las bestiales arremetidas de las fuerzas gubernamentales intentando recuperar el control de la ciudad no han logrado someterla. Pero los obispos católicos allá no solo desempeñan un papel mediador sino además bastante protagónico. Una caravana de obispos se trasladó a Masaya para evitar otra masacre. En el camino –a lo largo de toda la carretera que conduce al pueblo– el convoy fue vitoreado por multitudes que salían de sus casas y oficinas patentizándoles su apoyo.

(Aquí durante el conflicto post electoral si bien la Conferencia Episcopal oportunamente instó a los políticos a dialogar, cedió el rol intercesor esperado de los líderes espirituales, favoreciendo la mediación internacional). “¡Que el mundo lo sepa! –escribió el obispo Báez por las redes sociales– el gobierno de Nicaragua se prepara con antimotines y paramilitares para perpetrar otra masacre en el indefenso barrio indígena de Monimbó, Masaya”. Sin duda esa denuncia motivó que el cardenal de Nicaragua, el obispo auxiliar de Managua y el nuncio apostólico abandonaran una “Jornada de Oración” por el país que celebraban en Managua para trasladarse a Masaya. Allá fueron recibidos por los pobladores que salieron alborozados a agradecerles la presencia. Se reunieron con el comisionado de policía para sacarle el compromiso de detener la represión y liberar a los detenidos. Ahora la expectativa es en la reanudación del diálogo.
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