Costa Rica: farmer convicted of Jehry Rivera’s murder; network of fake accounts to attack journalists

Association

On 1st February 2023, farmer Juan Eduardo Varela was found guilty of the murder of Brörán leader Jehry Rivera of Térraba, which took place in February 2020. Varela had openly admitted to the crime during a public event in 2022. Almost three years after the killing he was sentenced to 22 years in prison for aggravated homicide, illegal possession of weapons and aggravated threats.

Days after the sentencing, individuals stoned the house of an Indigenous woman who testified in the trial as a witness. Civil society group Coordinadora de Lucha Sur Sur issued a statement about the attack, saying Melisa Garbanzo and her family were not injured but their house and vehicle were damaged. The group also said this attack took place despite early warnings to authorities of increased risk for the community’s Indigenous people.

Indigenous spokespeople warn lawmakers of violations

On 29th January 2023, representatives of the Coordinadora de Lucha Sur Sur took part in a meeting on the situation of Indigenous peoples before the Legislative Assembly’s Special Permanent Commission on Human Rights. Human rights defender Gustavo Oreamuno discussed Costa Rica’s lack of progress on Indigenous land policy. Indigenous defenders of the Bribri people and of Cabecar territories also warned about repression against their communities, denouncing that rights violations against them are perpetrated not only by non-state actors but also by the State. The spokespersons also referred to public institutions’ lack of knowledge about the culture, history and identity of Costa Rica’s Indigenous peoples, which leads to discriminatory and racist treatment.

Costa Rica shelves ratification of Escazú Agreement

On 1st February 2023, Congress blocked Costa Rica’s ratification of a U.N.-backed environmental treaty named after one of the country's municipalities. Known as the Escazú Agreement, the treaty is the first binding agreement in the world containing specific provisions on environmental human rights defenders. Before lawmakers' decision, several civil society groups had signed a letter to Congress asking legislators not to dismiss the agreement.

Under Carlos Alvarado’s presidency, Costa Rica was a key promoter of the treaty. However, sitting President Rodrigo Chaves opposed the agreement, arguing Costa Rica already has sufficient regulations on environmental matters. Costa Rica’s congress overwhelmingly rejected a motion to extend the ratification period, effectively shutting the door on joining the treaty, with 41 of the 57 deputies voting against it. For ratification to be considered again, it would have to be proposed by the government.

Expression

At the end of 2022, high officials in the Rodrigo Chaves government were involved in a controversy over the alleged used of fake accounts to attack critics and opponents online. In December 2022, a man behind a ‘troll’ account disclosed he had received payment from Health Minister Joselyn Chacón and from a member of the presidential staff to coordinate such attacks on social media. Alberto Vargas, who operated under the username of Piero Calandrelli, also alleged that there was a network of at least six people running ‘troll’ accounts and pages to attack journalists and members of the opposition.

Chacón initially claimed she had paid for the promotion of a health campaign by Calandrelli, but later admitted to having paid to “put the hurt on” the media. She said “there are three media outlets that go beyond misrepresenting the truth.” A few weeks before this admission, President Chaves made a series of vilifying comments toward journalists, saying some of those criticising Chacón were “political hitmen.” He specifically cited news outlets La Nación, Canal 7 and CRHoy. On 7th February 2023, Chacón resigned as Health Minister citing “personal reasons.”