The Organization of American States (OAS) condemned Nicaragua this Friday for "the harassment" to the Catholic Church, the "force close" of NGOs and the "persecution" of the press and insisted that the government of Daniel Ortega release the political prisoners.
In an extraordinary session of the Permanent Council, the organization’s executive body, the resolution on the situation in Nicaragua was adopted by 27 votes in favor of the 34 active members, one against (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) and four abstentions (Bolivia , El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico).
The delegations of Colombia, governed since Sunday by the new president Gustavo Petro, and that of Nicaragua were absent.
The OAS condemns "forcefully closing" of NGOs and the "harassment and arbitrary restrictions of religious organizations and voices critical of the government and its actions".
Nicaraguan priests have been harshly criticized by the government of President Daniel Ortega since the 2018 opposition protests, for having given shelter to protesters who were injured or were fleeing the repression that left 355 dead, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. (IACHR).
In addition, the OAS insists that Nicaragua "immediately release all political prisoners, cease the persecution and intimidation of the independent press and guarantee the exercise of the right to freedom of expression".
It refers to some 190 detained opponents, including seven former presidential candidates who sought to challenge Ortega in the elections last November, in which the former guerrilla won his fourth consecutive term.
Daniel Ortega considered these protests a failed coup promoted by the opposition with the support of Washington and the complicity of the bishops.
And on November 18, 2021, he announced that he was withdrawing from the OAS.
The organization reminds you, however, that legally you must comply with your obligations until November 18, 2023, when your withdrawal would become effective.
"The atmosphere of oppression has worsened"the OAS is alarmed, saying it is concerned about the fact that Nicaragua has ignored the declarations, resolutions and mandates of the General Assembly and the Permanent Council that urged it to respect human rights.
This Friday he reiterated his offer "to work" with the Nicaraguan government so that "reestablish democratic institutions and respect for human rights".
The resolution was proposed by Antigua and Barbuda and co-sponsored by Canada, Costa Rica, Chile, the United States, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador.