The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has begun, as of December 10, an investigation into “acts, policies and practices of Nicaragua related to labor rights, human rights and the rule of law”, which affect trade relations with that northern country.
As part of the commemoration of International Human Rights Day, the USTR issued an official statement announcing the beginning of said investigation that will be carried out under “Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.”
According to the statement from the North American trade body, “the United States is concerned that Nicaragua is participating in repressive and persistent attacks against labor rights, human rights and the rule of law.”
In that sense, explains the USRT, this investigation is the first of its kind under Section 301 to investigate acts, policies and practices that violate labor, human rights and the rule of law that may affect US commerce.
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In the investigative process, the USRT must seek consultations with the “foreign government,” that is, in this case the Ortega-Murillo administration, whose acts, policies or practices are under investigation.
“The USTR has requested consultations with Nicaragua in relation to the investigation,” the statement indicates and establishes January 8, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, as the deadline to submit written comments and request a public hearing.
On January 16, the Section 301 Committee, which is conducting the investigation, will convene a “public hearing” at its headquarters in the “U.S. International Trade Commission Hearing Room,” 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC. DC 20436″, which will take place starting at 10:00 am that day.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is firmly committed to a worker-centered trade policy to ensure our trade associations fuel a race to the top for all workers and people,” said USTR Representative Katherine Tai, announcing the beginning of the investigative process.
Reports that point to the Managua regime as a violator
The US diplomat noted that “numerous reports suggest that the Government of Nicaragua is engaging in repressive acts that harm the workers and people of Nicaragua themselves, undermine fair competition, and destabilize our region.”
For this reason, the trade representative said, the USTR will “thoroughly investigate” complaints about violations of labor and human rights, and the dismantling of the rule of law.
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Likewise, the Biden administration official recalled that credible reports are already known that point to the State of Nicaragua as a violator of human and labor rights. Among these reports, those prepared by the Government of the United States, the Office of the High Commissioner, stand out. United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the International Labor Organization (ILO).
In addition, the reports of the United Nations Group of Experts on Human Rights on Nicaragua (GHREN) are known, which also points out the Ortega and Murillo regime along with several institutions and officials as “alleged criminals against humanity.”
Complaints against the Ortega-Murillo regime
The official USRT statement announcing the start of the investigation also highlights that the Government of Ortega and Murillo has been accused of “arrests and imprisonments for political reasons, repression of religious groups and NGOs, extrajudicial executions; cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; restrictions on freedom of expression and movement, violence against members of marginalized groups, repression of freedom of association, forced labor, human trafficking, elimination of legislative and judicial independence, spurious confiscations, fines and arbitrary rulings and other acts harmful.
The Biden administration, through its trade office, warns that the repressive actions of the Managua regime “exacerbate the exploitation of workers and reduce economic growth and business opportunities.”
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Likewise, they reiterate that the United States has shown interest in the economic development of the region, however, “the Government of Nicaragua has not responded to the concerns raised by the United States or others in the face of serious accusations of labor and employee abuses.” human rights and the dismantling of the rule of law.
That is why the North American authorities, through the investigation launched, will seek to address and resolve “those long-standing and deeply rooted concerns to ensure that American companies and workers are treated fairly and with equal respect under a system of rule of law.
What is USRT?
It is the Office of the United States Trade Representative. It is a US government agency that is responsible for: Developing and coordinating international trade policy, supervising negotiations with other countries, and advising the president on trade matters.
In addition, this agency is responsible for leading international trade negotiations, supervising the resolution of disputes and creating new opportunities and promoting the growth of American businesses abroad, so its conclusions after the investigation could have a significant impact on trade relations. of the US with Nicaragua.
