The Representative of the Holy See in Geneva, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, Permanent Observer at the United Nations, joined the choir of nations calling for dialogue and justice in Nicaragua, reported Fides News Agency. During the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council on the situation in Nicaragua on September 10, 2019, the Archbishop said: «The Holy See has followed with great attention the socio-political situation in Nicaragua and believes that unresolved disputes should be resolved as soon as possible, always respecting fundamental human rights and the principles enshrined in the country’s constitution.
«To facilitate social harmony in the country and build a foundation for a stable future of peace and prosperity, the Holy See recommends that the various political and social actors, with a renewed spirit of responsibility and reconciliation, find together a solution that respects truth, restores justice and promotes the common good.
«The Holy See firmly believes that it is essential to implement the agreements reached last March, to immediately return to open and mutually respectful negotiations and to carry out, as soon as possible, the electoral reforms in order to hold free and transparent elections with the presence of observers.»
A report by Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, was also presented, which, in a nutshell, summarized what is happening in Nicaragua: a continuous violation of human rights by government forces and the lack of guarantees of the main freedoms. «It is not possible for a person to be arrested for singing the national anthem or waving the Nicaraguan flag in a public square or street», Bachelet said, adding, «Freedom of expression has been limited through actions ranging from the closure of independent media and the confiscation of equipment to the detention of national journalists for months». In concluding her report, Michelle Bachelet announced that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) will continue to observe the situation of the country and will seek spaces for dialogue with the Nicaraguan dictatorship to find as soon as possible a solution to the crisis unleashed since April 2018.
