FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Nicaraguan police and pro-government paramilitaries have intensified efforts to crack down on peaceful protestors. Nearly 200 Nicaraguans have been killed as President Ortega uses the political crisis to ramp up violence and repression throughout the country. After delays, the Nicaraguan government finally extended formal invitations to representatives from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the European Union to travel to Nicaragua to investigate reported human rights abuses.

“Allowing UN and human rights organizations to travel to Nicaragua is a necessary step, but now President Ortega must ensure full access to these groups so they can investigate the human rights abuses against the Nicaraguan people at the hands of their own government. The government must immediately end its campaign of violence and intimidation against its own people for doing nothing more than speaking their minds. We will continue to stand with the Nicaraguan people as they use the power of their voices to fight for the future of their country and call for free and fair elections,” said Ambassador Haley.