Persecution of political prisoners and human rights defenders in Nicaragua: How should the Human Rights Council respond?

In 2022, the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo deepened repression and continued to violate the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Nicaraguans. Today more than ever, the firm and decisive accompaniment of the international community is essential to re-establish democracy and the rule of law in Nicaragua.

Since the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on Nicaragua in March 2021, the government has stepped up its crackdown on civil society organisations, human rights defenders and political prisoners. The UN reports that over 3,000 civil society organisations have had their legal status cancelled, hampering human rights protection and crucial humanitarian aid.
 
The authorities are now targetting the relatives of those arbitrarily detained, to coerce them into surrender. A few weeks ago, the government expelled 222 political prisoners to the United States, stripping them and 95 other individuals of their nationality and rendering them stateless. Those detained continue to face conditions of detention amounting to torture and ill-treatment.
 
This side event aims at providing a platform for Nicaraguan activists to share their experiences and their call to action with the international community. The discussion will be held in Spanish (in person and virtually) with simultaneous interpretation in English (for in-person participation only). It will be live-streamed on Race & Equality's YouTube channel (TBC).

Panelists:

• Gonzalo Carrión, Colectivo de Derechos Humanos Nicaragua Nunca Más
• Alexandra Salazar, Unidad de Defensa Jurídica
• Becky McCray Urbina, Indigenous lawyer, APIAN
• Natalia Yaya, FIDH

Moderated by Raphaël Viana David, International Service for Human Rights

This event is co-sponsored by ISHR, Race & Equality, CCPR Centre, FIDH, Human Rights Watch, CEJIL, OMCT, CIVICUS, and the Colectivo 46/2 coalition.