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HRC54 - Interactive Dialogue following the report by the OHCHR on Nicaragua - EU Statement

European External Action Service (EEAS)

12.09.2023
Geneva
Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

United Nations Human Rights Council

Interactive Dialogue following the report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Nicaragua

12 September 2023

EU Intervention

Mr. President,

The EU thanks the High Commissioner for his report and shares his concerns about the situation of human rights in Nicaragua.

We reiterate our strong condemnation of the authorities' decision to deprive more than 300 former political prisoners and dissidents of their Nicaraguan citizenship and seize their property.

The EU is deeply concerned about the closure of civic space and the repression against political opponents, independent media, students, civil society, academics, members of the clergy, and human rights defenders, and call on the authorities to take measures to prevent abuses against Indigenous Peoples and persons belonging to afro-descendant communities.

We deplore the rollback of academic freedom, whose latest expression has affected the Central American University among others, undermining Nicaraguans' right to education and the autonomy of universities.

We urge the Nicaraguan authorities to fully respect their international commitments, including those in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and call on them to free all persons arbitrarily detained, and to ensure full respect for due process and adherence to internationally recognised Nelson Mandela Rules for the treatment of prisoners.

We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the Nicaraguan people and reiterate our call to solve the current political crisis through genuine dialogue between the authorities and the opposition, with due involvement of civil society and cooperation with international human rights mechanisms, and the international community.

Mr High Commissioner,

Could you elaborate on the state of Nicaragua's civil society after the forced closure of up to 3 900 organisations and the consequences for Nicaraguans?

Thank you.