On May 13, 2023, in San José, Costa Rica, IPADES held the final event of its “Crisis Sociopolítica Nicaragua” Photography Contest, an initiative aimed at showcasing the experiences, struggles, and resilience of the Nicaraguan people in their pursuit of freedom and justice. In this inaugural edition, IPADES received 24 photographic submissions from young Nicaraguans, each capturing significant moments of civic and peaceful resistance in their country.

Contest Winners

After careful selection, three photographs were chosen as winners for their ability to capture the spirit of resistance and the pain of a nation during times of repression:

  1. April Struggle and Civic Protest on the Streets of Managua (2018): This photograph captures moments of mass, peaceful protest in the streets of Managua during the April 2018 demonstrations, symbolizing the courage and determination of Nicaraguans in defending their rights.
  2. Masks of Masaya and the Women’s Struggle: An image honoring the women in resistance, symbolized through the traditional masks of Masaya, representing their role in preserving identity and dignity amid repression.
  3. The Murder of Gerald Vásquez: A photograph that commemorates the tragic murder of Gerald Vásquez, a young student and victim of state repression in Nicaragua, symbolizing the youth’s resistance and sacrifice in the fight for freedom.

The winning photographs will be showcased in a public exhibit, offering viewers the opportunity to reflect on the stories of those who have suffered and resisted in the face of Nicaragua’s sociopolitical crisis. This activity is part of the Human Rights and Justice program at IPADES and is framed within the “Memorias en Resistencia” project, sponsored by the International Network for Human Rights in Europe (RIDHE) and the Institute for Peace and Development.

Memory and Transitional Justice in Nicaragua

For IPADES, preserving the memory of the events that marked the sociopolitical conflict in Nicaragua is essential within the framework of transitional justice. Transitional justice is founded on four essential pillars: memory, truth, reparation, and guarantees of non-recurrence. This approach seeks not only to recognize human rights violations and crimes against humanity committed by the State but also to offer victims and their families the right to truth and justice.

Memory preservation is crucial in this process, as it allows the documentation and denouncement of abuses while giving a voice to those victimized by the regime. Through this collective memory, IPADES reinforces its commitment to justice and opposition to impunity, reminding the world of the severe human rights violations, inhumane treatment, and crimes against humanity committed in Nicaragua.

IPADES’ Commitment Against Impunity

IPADES reaffirms its commitment to defending human rights and pursuing justice for victims. The “Crisis Sociopolítica Nicaragua” Photography Contest is not only a tribute to the struggle of the Nicaraguan people but also a manifestation of support for the principles of transitional justice and the firm rejection of impunity. IPADES will continue working to ensure that these stories of pain and resilience find a place of recognition and that victims’ voices are heard and respected.

Acknowledgments and Call to the Community

We extend our gratitude to the young participants, to RIDHE, and to everyone who supported this initiative. We invite the community and our allies to attend this exhibit and support IPADES in its mission to promote peace, human rights, and justice in Nicaragua and throughout the region.