GENEVA - UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Wednesday deplored a series of developments in Nicaragua that hinder the exercise of people's civil and political rights, including threats to prohibit those with dissenting political views from participating in elections.
On Sunday, Nicaragua's co-president, Daniel Ortega, spoke of new laws that could bar dissenting individuals and groups from participating in elections. Earlier this month, the Government abruptly revoked the credentials of a number of lawyers without any legal basis or official explanation. We understand that at least 46 individuals remain arbitrarily detained for political reasons.
"These latest developments further deepen the severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms, the dismantling of civic space, and the steady erosion of the rule of law," the High Commissioner said, adding that power was increasingly being placed under the co-presidency.
The ruling party maintains total control over Parliament, all municipalities, and the North and South Caribbean Coast Regional Councils. Civil society organisations have also reported that up to one quarter of 18 Indigenous territories are impacted by mining and extractive concessions, and that many have been granted without genuine consultation to obtain free, prior, and informed consent by Indigenous Peoples. Civic space is nearly closed, and independent expression of thought or opinion is systematically suppressed.
"I am disturbed by the reports of repression against the Catholic Church and other religious denominations, including by the absence of official information regarding the fate or whereabouts and condition of 80-year-old Bishop Abelardo Mata Guevara, who was detained on 29 June," said the High-Commissioner.
"I urge the authorities to release immediately all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained and to ensure that all those detained are treated with humanity and dignity in line with Nicaragua's obligations under international human rights law," Türk said.
"I call on the authorities to reopen civic space, and restore the rule of law. People of all political viewpoints must be allowed to vote and run for office, in line with the State's international human rights obligations."
