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STORY: OHCHR / NICARAGUA HUMAN RIGHTS
TRT: 1:46
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: SPANISH / NATS
DATELINE: 25 FEBRUARY 2021, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
RECENT - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Zoom in, Palais Wilson exterior
25 FEBRUARY 2021, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“Mientras Nicaragua se acerca a las elecciones generales del 7 de noviembre de 2021, el Estado de derecho sigue deteriorándose. La adopción reciente de varias leyes contrarias a los derechos a la libertad de asociación, expresión, la participación política y las garantías al debido proceso, constituye un claro ejemplo de la continua restricción del espacio cívico y democrático. A principios de este mes, dos prominentes organizaciones defensoras de la libertad de expresión se vieron obligadas a suspender sus actividades por las exigencias y controles introducidos por la Ley de Regulación de Agentes Extranjeros.”
(English translation) “As Nicaragua approaches general elections on 7 November 2021, the rule of law continues to deteriorate. The recent adoption of several laws contrary to the rights to freedom of association, expression, political participation and due process is a clear example of the continued restriction of civic and democratic space. Earlier this month, two prominent organisations that advocate for freedom of expression were forced to suspend their activities due to the requirements and controls introduced by the Foreign Agents Law.”
RECENT - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
3. Zoom out, Palais Wilson exterior
25 FEBRUARY 2021, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“La incorporación de un sólido enfoque de derechos humanos y la participación de las personas en situación de mayor vulnerabilidad puede contribuir significativamente a la solución de la actual crisis y a los esfuerzos de reconstrucción después de los desastres naturales. Una vez más, insto al Gobierno que permita a mi Oficina acceder al país para cumplir con su mandato, que incluye el monitoreo de los derechos humanos en el contexto electoral y la asesoría técnica para garantizar el ejercicio de las libertades públicas. Es crucial que se adopten las reformas necesarias para garantizar elecciones libres, justas y transparentes.”
(English translation) “The incorporation of a solid human rights approach and the participation of the most vulnerable people can contribute significantly to the resolution of the current crisis and to reconstruction efforts after natural disasters. Once again, I urge the Government to allow my Office access to the country to fulfil its mandate, which includes monitoring human rights in the context of the elections and providing technical advice to ensure the exercise of public freedoms. It is crucial that the necessary reforms be adopted to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.”
RECENT - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
3. Zoom out, Palais Wilson exterior
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said the rule of law in Nicaragua “continues to deteriorate” as it approaches general elections set for November and urged the Government to grant her Office access to the country.
In a video statement to the Human Rights Council today (25 Feb), Bachelet said the socio-political and human rights crisis in Nicaragua, which erupted in April 2018, has been exacerbated by the damage caused by both the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes Eta and Iota.
The High Commissioner said the recent adoption of several laws “contrary to the rights to freedom of association, expression, political participation and due process is a clear example of the continued restriction of civic and democratic space.” She added, “Earlier this month, two prominent organisations that advocate for freedom of expression were forced to suspend their activities due to the requirements and controls introduced by the Foreign Agents Law.”
The UN human rights office documented 117 cases of harassment, intimidation and threats by police officers or pro-government elements against students, peasants, political activists, human rights defenders and organisations of women and victims, as well as 34 cases of intimidation, threats, criminalisation and smear campaigns against media outlets and journalists considered to be opponents.
Bachelet said arbitrary detentions also continued, most of them for short periods. She said civil society sources reported that more than 100 people continue to be deprived of their liberty for political reasons. She added that human rights violations perpetrated during the 2018 social protests also remain unpunished.
The High Commissioner recognized the Government's efforts to increase social spending and contain the impact of the economic crisis, as well as the incipient signs of openness to humanitarian assistance by some UN agencies. However, she highlighted the poor record in implementing the recommendations contained in her previous report. She said, “The incorporation of a solid human rights approach and the participation of the most vulnerable people can contribute significantly to the resolution of the current crisis and to reconstruction efforts after natural disasters.”
Bachelet urged the Government to allow her Office access to the country to fulfil its mandate, “which includes monitoring human rights in the context of the elections and providing technical advice to ensure the exercise of public freedoms.” She added, “It is crucial that the necessary reforms be adopted to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.”
