48th Session of the Human Rights Council
Madam President,
I make this intervention on behalf of 50 countries, the full list of which will be available on the extranet.
We thank the High Commissioner for her oral update on the human rights situation in Nicaragua. The escalation of human rights violations as the November elections approach is particularly worrisome.
We are deeply concerned by the reports of arbitrary detentions and general intimidation against political opponents, student and civil society leaders, journalists and human rights defenders.
Despite persistent calls from the international community and the violations of international obligations that these acts imply, the number of detainees and reports of intimidation continues to increase.
We once again urge the Government of Nicaragua to immediately release all political detainees, refrain from reprisals and all acts of intimidation.
We are troubled by the Government's implementation of recently enacted laws that undermine political participation, media freedom, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, the separation of powers and the democratic system as a whole.
The events that occurred in recent months, cast doubt on the legitimacy and would make highly difficult to assess the upcoming November 7th elections in Nicaragua as being free, fair and transparent.
We urge Nicaragua to ensure the protection of human rights, bring to account those responsible for the human rights violations perpetrated since April 2018, resume dialogue with the international community and restore confidence and respect for democracy in the country.
Thank you.
(237 words)
List of signatory States:
- Albania
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Ireland
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxemburg
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Korea
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States of America