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EU warns Nicaragua of sanctions over rights abuses
BRUSSELS, Jan 21, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The EU on Monday warned Nicaragua it was
ready to impose sanctions over the crisis-hit country’s crackdown on media
and civil society groups, saying fundamental rights were being abused.
The government of President Daniel Ortega has revoked human rights groups’
permits, raided the offices of independent media and thrown out international
inspection missions.
EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels condemned the moves, which follow
a tough clampdown launched in response to street protests.
“Recent measures targeting civil society organisations and independent
media constitute another blow to democracy, human rights and civic freedoms
aggravating the political and social crisis,” the 28 ministers said.
The recent actions by the Ortega government were creating an environment
where basic rights such as freedom of expression and fair trials were under
threat, they said.
“The EU will continue to monitor the situation closely and underlines its
readiness to use all its policy instruments to contribute to a peaceful
negotiated way out of the current crisis and react to further deterioration
of human rights and rule of law,” the statement said — paving the way for
possible future sanctions.
Rights groups say that since anti-government protests began in Managua in
April, more than 320 people have been killed in the crackdown, and 600
arrested, while thousands more have fled the country.
Last week a group of young protesters defied a government ban on
demonstrations to take to the streets but were rapidly dispersed by police.
And on Friday, leading newspaper La Prensa ran a blank front page in
protest at the government blocking deliveries of paper and ink.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1621 hrs