Nicaragua: International organizations set out five reasons why elections do not guarantee the exercise of human rights

In the run up to the general elections in Nicaragua, scheduled for 7 November, Amnesty International, the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), CIVICUS; Human Rights Watch, the International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights, the Washington Office on Latin American, the World Organisation Against Torture, People in Need, the International Network of Human Rights, and Women’s Link Worldwide, have issued a manifesto setting out five reasons that explain how the coming general elections will be held in the context of serious restrictions on civil and political liberties.

In the joint document, the signatory organizations highlight the intensification of repression and harassment of dissident voices, as part of a context in which the conditions do not exist for holding elections that guarantee the exercise of rights.

The Nicaraguan government has tried to eliminate and discourage electoral competition through arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and the prosecution of opponents and presidential candidates, as well as by creating obstacles to the candidacy of the main opposition parties. It has also harassed and intimidated the press and violated political rights, all with the collaboration of the legislative and judicial powers. The intensification of harassment, in addition to the repeated abusive use of force and impunity, have increased concerns about human rights violations in the context of social mobilization. 

For these reasons, the organizations, are calling on the international community, multilateral organizations and international human rights organizations to redouble their efforts and endeavours to end the human rights crisis.