Nicaraguan Attorney General Wendy Carolina Morales rejected Bachelet’s update. Although the update reflects reports from many Nicaraguan sources pointing to a deepening of the socio-political crisis, Morales claimed that it was “biased and unilateral.” According to Morales, the update “did not take into account the reports that our country has shared in good faith and in a timely manner with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights” and was based on reports from non-governmental organizations and media outlets that she labeled as “opponents” of the Government. This statement ignores the longstanding and vital practice by international human rights bodies and mechanisms of consulting with a wide range of in-country sources.

Morales stated that the Nicaraguan Government has guaranteed the right to health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, has respected the territorial rights of indigenous peoples and Afro-descendant communities in the Caribbean region, and has granted extraordinary measures to more than 8,000 people in prison during this year.

COVID-19

Bachelet highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the full range of human rights, including economic, social, and cultural rights. In Nicaragua, the state response to the pandemic has led to violations of freedom of expression and to the arbitrary dismissals of medical personnel.

Bachelet added, “Official data are reported only once a week and lack detailed epidemiological information. In this regard, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned that it has been necessary to resort to data produced by non-official sources to analyze the situation in the country. Of particular concern is the lack of disaggregated information on the impacts of the pandemic on indigenous peoples and people of African descent, as well as on any specific measures” taken to address these populations’ particular needs.

Other matters of concern

In her speech, Bachelet highlighted the precarious conditions faced by thousands of Nicaraguan migrants seeking to return to their country in recent months, including hundreds stranded at the southern border crossing known as Peñas Blancas.

She also expressed concern about the discrepancies between the data on femicide between February 1st and August 7^th provided by women’s organizations (who reported 50 murders) and those reported by the authorities (who reported only 11). This discrepancy shows “a possible under-recording, which would make it difficult to take effective measures to counter these crimes.”

Likewise, she denounced recent attacks on journalists, including legal proceedings for slander and defamation, acts of intimidation, and police harassment against leaders and staff of Radio La Costeñísima and Radio Darío. She also highlighted the imposition of tax proceedings on three media outlets.

Finally, the High Commissioner urged the State of Nicaragua to implement the recommendations made by her Office, particularly in light of the elections scheduled for November 2021, and to resume effective cooperation with the OHCHR, including “authorizing a mission to the country” in preparation for her written report in February.

International support

The European Union urged Nicaragua to adopt electoral and institutional reforms and to ensure free and fair elections in 2021, while a group of countries (Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Paraguay) lamented the lack of progress on human rights in Nicaragua and denounced the authorities for their lack of cooperation.

“We are concerned about the lack of real electoral reforms to allow Nicaraguans to freely and transparently carry out their political participation with a view to the next presidential elections. Our countries make a firm call to the authorities of the Government of Nicaragua to implement the recommendations issued by the High Commissioner. We reiterate the need to establish genuine cooperation and access for the Office of the High Commissioner in the country and to give real evidence of a dialogue and of a concrete will to improve the socio-political and human rights situation in Nicaragua, for the benefit of all its citizens”, said Julio Peralta, representative of Ecuador, on behalf of the group of Latin American countries.

The Ukrainian and Austrian delegations also expressed concern about the situation in Nicaragua, particularly in relation to political prisoners, human rights defenders, journalists, and other Government opponents who have been attacked, including by armed pro-Government groups.

Only the Government of Venezuela supported the Nicaraguan Government, urging the OHCHR to adhere to “non-interference.”

Nicaraguan voices

A week before High Commissioner Bachelet’s update, Race and Equality invited human rights defenders, journalists, and relatives of political prisoners in Nicaragua to share their own perspectives on how the human rights crisis has deepened, highlighting the importance of continued international monitoring of the situation.

In this series of videos, activists share their experiences and express their support for the OHCHR updates: