UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Nicaragua. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.
Thank you, Mr Vice-President.
We remain deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Nicaragua. The report describes a troubling concentration of executive power and erosion of the separation of powers. Proposed constitutional reforms will further centralise power and weaken institutional checks and balances.
The report also highlights continued restrictions on civic and democratic space. We are concerned by reports of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, deaths in custody, and intimidation of political opponents, journalists, human rights defenders, religious leaders and indigenous communities. We are also concerned by reports of transnational repression targeting Nicaraguans abroad.
We were alarmed by the reported death in custody of Brooklyn Rivera, following prolonged arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, and call for a full and transparent investigation.
The UK urges Nicaragua to release anyone arbitrarily detained and restore nationality and political rights to those stripped of them. Nicaragua must uphold freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, association, religion or belief, and participation in public affairs. We also urge Nicaragua to safeguard judicial independence and re-engage with the UN human rights system, including by granting OHCHR access.