U.S. National Statement on Nicaragua
Geneva, December 14, 2021
As Delivered by Mr. Jesse Lynch
Interactive dialogue on the interim oral update by the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua
Thank you, High Commissioner.
We welcome the joint statement on Nicaragua presented by the core group members and support their call for greater attention to human rights abuses in Nicaragua.
On November 7, the Ortega-Murillo government held an election that denied Nicaraguans the ability to vote in free and fair elections, following months of repression and the unjust imprisonment of over 40 individuals, including seven potential presidential candidates, opposition members, journalists, students and members of civil society. For years, the Ortega-Murillo regime has sought to erode Nicaragua’s democratic institutions, including by violently suppressing and imprisoning those calling for democratic change and, along with their cronies, allowed corruption and impunity to reign. By declaring victory after the November 7 sham elections, they have illegitimately entrenched their power and established a dynastic dictatorship that resembles the very Somoza regime that the Sandinistas or themselves overthrew forty years ago.
The United States condemns the regime’s ongoing violence and intimidation campaign. We call for full accountability for human rights abuses and violations and the immediate, unconditional release of all political prisoners and for the government to cease the harassment, politically motivated detentions, mistreatment, and torture of individuals exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The United States is committed to working with the Human Rights Council and the international community to urge the Ortega-Murillo regime to restore democracy in Nicaragua.