News

Nicaragua: Rights experts denounce shutdown of over 700 civil society groups |



In a letter to the Government of Nicaragua last Monday, a group of 16 experts from the United Nations featured that the action “represents a clear pattern of repression of the civic space”.

UN experts repeat a statement earlier this year by the High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the persecution.

They expressed shock at the extent of the shutdown of Parliament at the request of the Government – counting more than 700 shutdowns, 487 times in the past month alone.

Anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering laws are being abused – UN expert

Law of bending

Although the space for NGOs to operate has diminished since political protests against the administration of President Daniel Ortega began in 2018, the recent implementation of the Agents Act 2020 and the Nonprofit Regulation and Control Law of 2022 Organizations (NPOs) accelerated their closures.

Before the NPO Law took effect in May, experts provided legal analysis along with their interests.

Specifically, the law imposes cumbersome administrative and registration procedures, discloses beneficiary data, and significantly limits foreign funding.

To date, the experts have not received any response to their concerns.

“We are sorry to see that, again, Anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering laws are being abused unnecessarily and disproportionately restrict the activities of civil society and fundamental freedoms,” the experts said, highlighting the global trend.

Right to pull the trigger

They assert that the closure affects not only human rights organizations, including those that work for the rights of women and indigenous peoples, but also those that promote democratic and indigenous values. combat the negative effects of climate change.

The move has also impacted associations that provide humanitarian aid and medical services, as well as educational, cultural and artistic institutions and religious institutions.

This situation will have more devastating consequences for marginalized individuals and groups who rely on such services for survival, such as rural and village communities, the experts said. regions, children and young people, women, migrants and asylum seekers”.

Activists head abroad

UN experts expressed concern about the deterrence impact this shutdown would have on civil society, noting that hundreds of activists have fled the country and sought refuge in neighboring countries for fear of reprisal.

We urge the State not to continue the shutdown and immediately reverse these severe restrictions about associations,” the experts said.

“A diverse, well-established and functioning political and civic space is key to any democratic country.”

Special rapporteurs and independent UN-appointed experts are based in Geneva Dong Nhan Quyen Association arrive check and report back about a particular human rights topic or a country situation. The positions are honorary and professionals are not paid for their work.



Source link

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button