The European Union has once again denounced this Friday the repression exercised by the authorities of Nicaragua and has expressed its concern over the constant worsening of fundamental freedoms and the political scenario in the Central American country.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Twenty-Seven by the High Representative of the EU, the community bloc has once again urged the Nicaraguan Executive to release all political prisoners, to fully restore the rule of law, and to allow the return of international organizations dedicated to the protection of Human Rights.
At the same time, Brussels has insisted on the urgency of opening a dialogue process between the Government and opposition forces in order to move towards a negotiated, peaceful, and democratic solution to the crisis the country is experiencing. In this regard, it has emphasized the need to promote the relevant electoral reforms to ensure elections with full guarantees.
The European Union has also requested the Nicaraguan authorities to call the scheduled elections and ensure that they are held according to the initially established timetable, respecting international standards of transparency, inclusion, and credibility.
The community bloc has reiterated, moreover, its support for the people of Nicaragua in their aspiration to consolidate a democratic system based on respect for Human Rights and the rule of law.
Finally, the Union has emphasized that it maintains its willingness to continue with political dialogue with Managua through the relevant diplomatic channels and in coordination with regional actors, always on the basis of mutual respect.
With this positioning, the Twenty-Seven align themselves with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, who this Wednesday accused the authorities of Nicaragua of "repressing the civil and political freedoms of the country" and obstructing the "full exercise of the rights" of the population, urging them to "immediately release all those arbitrarily detained and to ensure that all those who have been deprived of liberty are treated with humanity and dignity, in accordance with Nicaragua's international obligations regarding Human Rights."