The “lack of guarantees and freedoms”, including that of information, mark the electoral process in Nicaragua, denounced this Thursday the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for Central America and the Dominican Republic (Oacnudh). Therefore – once again – they ask President Daniel Ortega, who aspires to his third consecutive re-election, “to remove the obstacles to the full participation of all people” in the elections on November 7.
In the run-up to the voting next Sunday, the regime of Ortega and Rosario Murillo, his wife, spokesperson and vice president, eliminated political competition by imprisoning 39 opposition leaders; among them the candidates for the presidency Cristiana Chamorro, Arturo Cruz, Félix Maradiaga, Juan Sebastián Chamorro, Medardo Mairena, Miguel Mora and Noel Vidaurre. In addition, the Conservative Party, Democratic Restoration Party and Citizens for Freedom were stripped of their legal status, the latter was considered the electoral vehicle of the opposition.
The IACHR and the Oacnudh indicated in a statement that they have observed “the intensification of repression and human rights violations and fundamental freedoms within the framework of the Nicaraguan electoral process, because the regime “eliminated the political pluralism that it was obliged to guarantee in the next electoral process.”
Information restrictions
Both organizations also expressed their “concern over the refusal to allow several foreign journalists to enter Nicaragua in recent weeks, as well as the lack of response to accreditation requests made to be able to report on the development of electoral day.”
“The attacks against the media and journalists, such as the raid on the premises of the newspaper La Prensa, on August 13, and the arrest of its general manager the following day, also unduly restricted freedom of expression and the right to information, which are also essential in electoral campaign periods ”.
Journalists from various international media have denounced that the Nicaraguan authorities have denied them entry to the Central American country to cover the elections.
The Mexican correspondent of the French newspaper Le Monde, Frédéric Saliba, denounced that on October 16, one day before his flight to Nicaragua, the airline notified him that his ticket had been canceled by decision of the Nicaraguan authorities, who alleged immigration reasons.
Also, a team from the newspaper El Heraldo de Honduras that tried to enter Nicaragua was expelled despite meeting the required immigration requirements.
Arbitrary restrictions
In addition, the IACHR and the Oacnudh denounced “arbitrary restrictions against the freedom of association of civil society, such as those imposed by the Foreign Agents Law or the cancellation of the legal personality of 45 civil organizations during 2021.” To this is added “the prohibition of public demonstrations in the country, in particular of people and organizations considered as opponents of the Government,” they added.
Both organizations reiterated the “call to the Government of Nicaragua to restore the conditions that lead to free and fair elections, which must be defined through an inclusive and constructive dialogue with all sectors of society.”
For this, they assured, “it is essential that the Government reestablish the rule of law, release all arbitrarily detained persons, and cease attacks against people and organizations considered to be opponents of the Government, the media and civil society.”
Exiles urge not to vote
Meanwhile, Nicaraguan exiles called not to vote next Sunday “in repudiation” of what they consider “an electoral farce.” In contrast, marches will be held in different parts of the world denouncing what is happening in Nicaragua.
“We make a patriotic call to the Nicaraguan citizens to take up the cry of April and the historical aspirations of freedom and democracy of our people, and this November 7, empty the streets with the same courage and determination with which we filled them in 2018, this time staying at home and not voting, as a sign of repudiation of the dictatorship ”, indicates a statement made by various organizations and read at a press conference by the leader of the Nicaraguan Medical Association in Exile, Rommel Meléndez.
The leader of the Blue and White National Unity (UNAB), Alexa Zamora, called on Nicaraguans around the world to take to the streets in the march that will take place on November 7 in various countries to reject the electoral process and the Government of Ortega.
“We Nicaraguans who are exiled in the world will go out to the streets to raise our voices. We make a great call for a world march without distinction of organization, creed or race, united under the blue and white flag demanding freedom for Nicaragua from the world, demanding that the dictator leave and telling the Nicaraguan brothers that we are here, “he said. .
