EU Threatens Action against Nicaragua Amid Political Crisis
HAVANA TIMES – European Union foreign ministers threatened Monday to take action against Nicaragua after months of deadly crackdowns on demonstrations and pressure on the media by the government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, reports dpa news.
Anti-government protests that began in April have been violently put down, resulting in the deaths of more than 500 people, according to rights activists. Journalists are also under pressure, with one of the last independent TV stations losing its licence in December.
“Recent measures targeting civil society organizations and independent media constitute another blow to democracy, human rights and civic freedoms aggravating the political and social crisis,” EU foreign ministers wrote in a statement issued Monday.
“The EU firmly condemns the repression of the press and civil society and the use of anti-terrorist laws to repress dissenting opinions in Nicaragua,” they added.
The only way out of the crisis is through dialogue and electoral reforms, the ministers wrote.
They stressed the European Union’s “readiness to use all its policy instruments” to contribute to a peaceful end to the crisis and react to any further deterioration of human rights and the rule of law.
The EU’s diplomatic toolkit includes possible sanctions against individuals suspected of human rights abuses or those found to be obstructing efforts at negotiating a peaceful solution.
The crackdown in Nicaragua against all forms of civic protest and organization, independent media and human rights in general occurs 40 years after the toppling of the last dictator Anastasio Somoza.
Gary you may not like it but here is another report on todays EU Foreign Minister’s meeting in Brussels.
EU warns Nicaragua of sanctions over rights abuses
Published 7 hours ago on 21 January 2019
BRUSSELS, Jan 21 — The EU today 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. — AFP
What foriegn Ministers in the E.U. are you quoting? This article seems like unresponsible journalism. When you write, be sure to name sources, verify the information from two or more sources. IE say you interviewed the Minister of “X” from Germany who says “ABC”. The you interviewed the Minister from Sweeden who agrees with the Minister from Germany, and had the following to say,” DEF,”
I am getting sick of reading articles that are clearly unsubstantiated. Havana Times is losing credibility.
Tell us, on such and such day and time you met with, or had a phone conversation interview with, or you received a press release from the Press Secretary of the E.U. that says the following: “GHI,” and you were able to talk with Minister Name from Holland, and Minister from England and they verified the information contained in the release.
Investigative Journalism is a professional position.
I would like to see some evidence that you are doing your actual job?
Gary Mountain, resident of Nicaragua, living here daily.
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