On behalf of the undersigned organisations, we welcome the Special Rapporteur”s report on access to justice in the context of the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, which particularly relevant in the case of Nicaragua.

We deplore that Nicaragua is still far from complying with the recommendations addressed in the Special Rapporteur”s report, as highlighted by the High Commissioner update as well.

The lack of separations of powers has ensured impunity for the arbitrary attacks against civil society organisations and the prevalence of legislation that drastically restricts all freedom of association.

Stigmatisation and obstacles to defending victims remain the rule for human rights defenders and independent lawyers, and those arbitrarily criminalised they accompany continue to face clear violations to their right to due process.

The international community as a whole, and the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms in particular, have an urgent role to play ahead of November’s general election.

They should urge the Government of Nicaragua to release of all political prisoners, including the presidential aspirants, human rights defenders, civic leaders and journalists recently detained.

They should also call for the restoration of civic liberties through the abrogation of all the normative framework obstructing freedom of association and assembly; including the Foreign Agents Law and its regulation, the Law on Money Laundering, the rule of National Police over mobilisations.

Lastly, they should urge the Government to ensure a free and safe environment for lawyers, human rights defenders and civil society organisations during and after the electoral process.

Finally, we also call on Nicaragua to allow a visit from your mandate and other Special procedures as per their open invitation.

Without this much-needed support, the state of Nicaragua will continue down its path to avoid the due accountability, further embedding impunity for the crimes against humanity and other grave human rights violations committed in the last three years.

Thank you Madam President.