PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 57 – UK Statement on Nicaragua [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 September 2024.

UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on Nicaragua.

Thank you, Mr President.

The attack on human rights in Nicaragua is relentless. The closure of over 5,000 NGOs since 2018, including 1,820 NGOs in August 2024 alone, is a clear indicator of this repression.

The arbitrary detention of political leaders and members of the church are of great concern. We welcome the release last week of dozens of political prisoners but are alarmed by their exile from Nicaragua. We call for an end to arbitrary arrests and the restitution of all the civic rights of political prisoners. The policy of exiling and removing the citizenship of individuals is unacceptable.

The growing climate of repression, intimidation, and harassment is also affecting Nicaraguans in exile and we urge the Nicaraguan authorities to immediately cease these practices.

High Commissioner,

We would welcome your views on what more can be done to prevent further arbitrary arrests and how we can preserve civic space in Nicaragua?

Thank you.