HRC55 - NB8 statement - Nicaragua

Human Rights Council – 55th session

Item 2: Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua

Statement by Latvia on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries

29 February 2024

Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf on the Nordic-Baltic countries – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country Latvia. We thank the Group of Experts for the latest report on the human rights situation in Nicaragua.

We remain gravely concerned about the continuous dismantling of the civic space and increasing and systematic human rights violations in Nicaragua, including attacks against human rights defenders, political and indigenous leaders, members of religious and academic institutions, journalists and other media workers for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

We are seriously concerned about the recent legislative reforms in Nicaragua that have led to the arbitrary removal of hundreds of justice system officials, the rise in arbitrary detentions and deprivation of the Nicaraguan nationality of hundreds of political opponents.

We strongly urge the Nicaraguan authorities to resume cooperation with international and regional human rights mechanisms, including OHCHR, and to return to the rule of law and full respect of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. There can be no justice for Nicaraguans without full accountability for gross human rights violations and abuses in the country.

Mr Simon, what steps can be taken to foster accountability for human rights violations in Nicaragua?

I thank you.