Interactive Dialogue with HC on Nicaragua
Statement as Delivered by Ambassador Ambassador Michèle Taylor
Human Rights Council – 52nd Session
Thank you, Madam Assistant Secretary General.
And thank you to the High Commissioner’s office for your overview of the situation in Nicaragua.
On February 9th, the United States welcomed 222 political prisoners, including members of the political opposition, journalists, human rights defenders, civil society representatives, and students, many of whom had been imprisoned by the Government of Nicaragua for exercising their fundamental freedoms. They endured lengthy and unjust detentions.
The Government of Nicaragua’s decision to release the political prisoners was a positive step, especially for those 222 individuals and their families. Unfortunately, the deterioration of human rights and rule of law in Nicaragua continues, particularly for women and girls and LGBTQI+ persons.
The Government of Nicaragua’s move to revoke the citizenship of these political prisoners and 94 others, as well as the unlawful seizure of their assets, is alarming, robbing Nicaraguans of their very foundation and access to their rights. We particularly condemn the Government of Nicaragua’s sentencing of Bishop Rolando Alvarez to 26 years in prison and its order to strip him of his citizenship.
We remain deeply concerned by the Ortega-Murillo regime’s actions.
Madam Assistant Secretary General: What can the international community do to support Nicaraguans inside the country and in exile who strive for democratic change in Nicaragua?
I thank you.
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