50th Session of the Human Rights Council: Dialogue on the interim oral update by the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua (Council resolution 46/2)

50th session of the Human Rights Council

Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the interim oral update by the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua (Council resolution 46/2)

Statement by Iceland on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic Countries (NB8)

16 June 2022

Mr President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries. We thank the High Commissioner for the latest update.

We remain deeply concerned about ongoing human rights violations in Nicaragua, including arbitrary detentions, violations of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and consistent attacks against human rights defenders, journalists and other media workers, political opposition, and civil society leaders.

The space for civil society in Nicaragua is shrinking dramatically. We strongly condemn the authorities’ recent cancellation of 177 additional non-governmental organisations’ legal status and urge the Nicaraguan authorities to immediately revoke these decisions and to guarantee, in all circumstances, the right to freedom of association.

We urge Nicaragua to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights, including civil and political rights. Impunity for human rights violations must end. We call on Nicaragua to cooperate fully with international and regional human rights mechanisms, including the OHCHR.

Madame High Commissioner,

What concrete steps can be taken to encourage Nicaragua to restore the legal personality of the organisations that have been arbitrarily shut down?

Thank you.