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Español Statement at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Debate on Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)'s Report on Nicaragua
Delivered by Róisín Dunbar, CIVICUS
Thank you, Mr President,
CIVICUS welcomes the report by OHCHR on the human rights situation in Nicaragua, which documents the systematic repression of civic space as also reported by CIVICUS.
The seizure of the Central American University (UCA) is yet another example of the Nicaraguan authorities flouting of the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. We condemn the continued misuse of counterterrorism legislation to repress dissenting voices.
While the authorities released 222 political prisoners in February, the practice of arbitrary arrests and detention has continued in Nicaragua, including on accusations of conspiracy, treason and spreading of fake news. We are also concerned by the chilling effect such measures have had on Nicaraguan society, as noted by OHCHR in this report.
We repeat our call on the government of Nicaragua to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and to fully respect the fundamental civic freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression.
The revocation of the legal personality of 1,988 organisations within 10 months as reported by OHCHR is also of grave concern. We urge the Nicaraguan authorities to repeal Laws No. 1040 on foreign agents and General Law No. 115 on the regulation of non-profit organisations, and respect individuals right to freely associate.
High Commissioner, in light of Nicaragua’s complete lack of engagement with Human Rights Council mechanisms, could you please advise how States can protect academic freedom and support civil society actors documenting and reporting on human rights violations and abuses?
Civic space in Nicaragua is rated as 'closed' by the CIVICUS Monitor