Nicaragua’s abrupt withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council has sent ripples through the international community. This decision came in the wake of a damning report detailing human rights abuses by the Nicaraguan government, compiled by three UN experts upon the council’s request. The report outlined violations dating back to 2018, including systematic oppression of Catholics, arbitrary detentions, exile orders, and torture, with evidence implicating the army in the deadly crackdowns of that year.
In a swift rebuttal, Vice President Rosario Murillo labelled the report as nothing short of slander, as reported by Reuters. Echoing her sentiments, the Venezuelan delegate to the UN dismissed the findings as mere propaganda, underscoring the contentious atmosphere surrounding the issue. The UN experts, however, remain steadfast, advocating for accountability and indicating plans to confront President Daniel Ortega’s administration with a list of officials linked to these violations, seeking responses to the accusations leveled against them.
Under Ortega’s rule, which has seen an alarming consolidation of power, Nicaragua’s political landscape has transformed sharply. By pushing through constitutional reforms that subordinate the congressional, judicial, and electoral branches to presidential authority, Ortega has all but eroded democratic structures. Notably, his wife, Murillo, has been granted the title of co-president, extending Ortega’s term by a year, thus confirming the UN’s conclusion that Nicaragua has become an authoritarian state devoid of independent institutions.
The UN Human Rights Council has recently faced criticism, particularly from prominent nations like the United States and Israel, who announced their intention to disengage, accusing it of cooperating with human rights violators. The State Department’s reports have highlighted serious violations committed by current council members, including China, Cuba, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, intensifying the debate over the council’s efficacy.
As Nicaragua navigates its increasingly authoritarian path, the international community watches closely, pondering whether any meaningful resistance to Ortega’s regime can emerge, especially as civil society faces mounting pressures, including the closure of hundreds of religious institutions and NGOs last year.
Nicaragua has announced its withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council after a report detailed significant human rights abuses by its government. The report, compiled by UN experts, catalogued violations since 2018, including the oppression of Catholics and state violence. In response, Vice President Rosario Murillo dismissed the findings as slander, while the UN experts continue to call for accountability.
Nicaragua’s exit from the UN Human Rights Council highlights the escalating tensions surrounding its government’s human rights record. The revelations from the UN report paint a stark picture of state-sponsored oppression and the erosion of democracy under Ortega’s rule. As the international community grapples with the implications of this withdrawal, the call for accountability grows ever louder, illuminating a critical moment for human rights advocacy.
Original Source: wng.org
