The United States government applauded the condemnation of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) to the regime of Daniel Ortega for the serious situation of violation of human, political and civil rights in Nicaragua.
27 member states of the continental organization voted against the Nicaraguan government, calling on it to cease the harassment against the Catholic Church and respect the human rights of Nicaraguans.
Related news: OAS delegations condemn the “unsustainable abuses” perpetrated by Ortega
After the resolution, the Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the United States, Brian A. Nichols, joined the OAS’s rejection of Ortega’s repressive actions against Nicaragua.
The diplomat stated that “the resounding vote of the OAS condemning the Ortega-Murillo regime for its human rights abuses reminds us that, although the regime has abandoned the building, the Nicaraguan people continue to be part of the family of the Americas” .
He emphasized the insistence of the Joe Biden government for the Nicaraguan dictator to heed “this hemispheric call,” which is to cease the abuses committed by his repressive apparatus.
The resolution that requires Ortega to respect the rights of Nicaraguans points to the “forced closure” of non-profit organizations and foundations, which already total almost 1,400 NGOs with legal personality canceled by the National Assembly, which responds to the interests of the dictatorial couple in a persecution against freedom of association that seeks to limit civic space in the country.
“Strongly condemn the forced closure of non-governmental organizations, as well as the harassment and arbitrary restrictions of religious organizations and voices critical of the government and its actions in Nicaragua,” reads point number one of the resolution.
Related news: IACHR demands before the OAS actions that put an end to the inhumane conditions of Ortega’s political prisoners
“Reiterate its insistence that the Government of Nicaragua immediately release all political prisoners, cease the persecution and intimidation of the independent press and guarantee the exercise of the right to freedom of expression,” continues the document approved by the ambassadors who make up the Permanent Council of the OAS.
The document also addresses the persecution of the Catholic Church, priests, bishops, opposition leaders and political prisoners of the Ortega regime. From the first of August, the dictatorship ordered an escalation of repression against the Diocese of Matagalpa and its bishop, Monsignor Rolando Álvarez. That day, through the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Post Office (Telcor), he ordered the closure of all radio stations in the Diocese, local channels in the department, radio programs and a media outlet in Nueva Guinea.
The Nicaraguan delegation was not present at the OAS session, due to the withdrawal of the credentials of its representatives, Orlando Tardencilla, Iván Lara and Michael Campbell. Ortega also ordered the closure of the organization’s office in Managua, calling it an “instrument of Yankee imperialism” on April 24.
Daniel Ortega has publicly shown his apathy against the Organization of American States, calling it interfering and not working impartially.
