HRC55: Oral statement during the interactive dialogue with the Group of Experts on Nicaragua

Item 2:Interactive Dialogue with the Group of Experts on Nicaragua

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker:Claire Denman

Thank you, Mr President,

CSW thanks the Group of Experts for their work, and we emphasise that their role remains vital considering the continued deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua under President Daniel Ortega.

Over the past year, Ortega’s government has stepped up its drive to forcibly expel those deemed critical of the authorities, stripping them of their Nicaraguan citizenship.

For example, whilst we welcome the fact that Bishop Rolando Álvarez Lagos is no longer unjustly imprisoned in the country, we oppose the fact that he and many others have been forced to choose between prison or exile.

We continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners in Nicaragua, and for the restoration of citizenship for Bishop Álvarez Lagos and all those who have been stripped of their nationality.

The government has also increasingly arbitrarily cancelled and co-opted religious events, activities and services, whilst permitting religious groups who are aligned with or supportive of its policies to gather, for the most part, without interference or harassment.

Members of religion or belief communities have been denied entry or re-entry to Nicaragua; religious institutions are among the thousands of independent civil society organisations that have been forced to close; and the number of religious leaders who have been arbitrarily detained increased significantly in 2023.

The international community must increase its efforts to hold the Nicaraguan government to account for such widespread violations of human rights, including by doing all it can to strengthen independent voices in the country, and reinforcing links between such voices and those in exile.

Thank you.