CORRECTS - UN concerned over rights, political crisis in Nicaragua

CORRECTS GLITCH IN PARAGRAPH SIX

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - The UN rights chief voiced concern Tuesday over Nicaragua's ongoing social and political crisis since anti-government protests started last year.

"As indicated in the report presented by my Office, between August 2018 and July 2019, human rights violations continued to occur in Nicaragua," Michelle Bachelet, UN high commissioner for human rights (UNHCR), told the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

However, Bachelet stressed the number of violations of life and personal integrity has fallen since February, when the government and the Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy resumed their dialogue.

Bachelet also urged the Nicaraguan government to investigate homicides and attempted homicides that took place this June and July, as "the victims had actively participated in the 2018 protests."

"On the other hand, acts of torture and ill-treatment against detained protesters have continued," she added, but said since June 11 almost all of those detained in the context of the protests were released by the government.

Bachelet decried a deterioration of freedom of expression and association during the ongoing crisis.

Saying that Nicaragua saw "significant development" in the years before the crisis, she stated the socio-political crisis has had "a negative impact on development indicators and the enjoyment of economic and social rights."

Since the protests started, more than 140,000 formal jobs were lost, 15.7% of the total job market, according to the Nicaraguan Social Security Institute.

Citing official data, Bachelet said the prices of basic consumer goods have risen 2%, while the price of water and electricity climbed 8.9% and 3.7%, respectively.

In April 2018, dozens of people were killed in their first week of nationwide anti-government protests against the policies of President Daniel Ortega.

After the casualties, Ortega announced the cancellation of social security reforms, including a tax hike.

However, the ongoing protests have grown and demanded Ortega’s resignation.