Human Rights and
International Democratic Solidarity

Statements

International Relations and Human Rights Observatory

04-30-2018

CADAL seeks the activation of the Inter-American Democratic Charter in Nicaragua

The Center for the Opening and Development of Latin America (CADAL) calls upon the General Secretary and the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States for the application of article 18 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter in Nicaragua. This call is in response to the illegitimate exercise of power by Daniel Ortega’s government.

Since April 17th, the Nicaraguan government has acted in complete violation of its citizens’ human rights. These violations have occurred through the government’s violent repression of legitimate social protests.

Reliable institutions estimate that more than 63 deaths, dozens of disappearances, and numerous injuries have resulted from this repression by Nicaraguan security forces.

The Catholic Church, through Monsignor Silvio Báez, condemns the brutal torture of youth detained in state facilities.

Daniel Ortega’s government is censoring the freedom of expression through various means.

Human rights organizations, university unions, and the 27 corporate entities that comprise the Superior Council of Private Business, are urgently calling for the end of the repression and the establishment of dialogue, monitored by the Organization of American States.

The Center for the Opening and Development of Latin America (CADAL) calls upon the General Secretary and the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States for the application of article 18 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which establishes the following: “When situations arise in a member state that may affect the development of its democratic political institutional process or the legitimate exercise of power, the Secretary General or the Permanent Council may, with prior consent of the government concerned, arrange for visits or other actions in order to analyze the situation. The Secretary General will submit a report to the Permanent Council, which will undertake a collective assessment of the situation and, where necessary, may adopt decisions for the preservation of the democratic system and its strengthening.”

It is critical that the OAS act in defense of Nicaraguan citizens’ violated rights and their expressed rejection of repression by the Ortega administration. Action must be taken before the already-delicate situation turns into a tragedy involving even more people.

 
 
 

 
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