Contrary to what the Nicaraguan regime would like, after Nicaragua’s exit from the Organization of American States (OAS) on November 18, 2023, the country’s situation continues to be a present and primary issue for the organization and its member states.

There are several reasons for this. First, the socio-political crisis that began in April 2018, and which the OAS has been permanently monitoring, is not only still ongoing but continues to worsen, as evidenced by the constant human rights violations that those affected continue to denounce and document before the agencies of the Inter-American Human Rights System, the United Nations (UN), the US Congress and other parliaments, including that of the European Union and the English Parliament, and to a broad group of civil society organizations.

Secondly, the fact that the State of Nicaragua has renounced its membership in the OAS does not exempt it from its international obligations, which remain in force because they are general obligations of international law and because it continues to be a part of the mechanisms of the Inter-American System, including the American Convention on Human Rights.

Finally, the lack of a solution to the crisis puts the entire region’s stability at risk. Democracy and freedom must be permanently safeguarded, and situations like those in Nicaragua are examples of what should not happen in the region. We must act so that they do not continue to impact the rest of the region negatively.

Governments of the Americas Acknowledge Human Rights Violations

For the OAS, the situation in Nicaragua is a systematic violation of human rights and democracy, a fact that does not admit discussion among the member states, unlike what happened at the beginning of the crisis in 2018, where resolutions had to be taken to a vote to be approved, since the General Assembly in Lima in 2023, all resolutions on Nicaragua have been adopted by consensus. Look at the text of the footnotes that some member states have left on record to note that, in addition to joining the consensus, no government of the Americas denies that in Nicaragua, human rights are violated, opponents are repressed, and democratic principles are disrespected.

This consensus is reflected in the two resolutions issued by the Permanent Council of the OAS regarding Nicaragua’s denunciation of the OAS Charter.

The first, dated November 8, 2023, states that, despite Nicaragua’s denunciation and consequent withdrawal from the OAS, the Permanent Council will continue to follow the situation in Nicaragua because it remains bound by international law in general and by other inter-American treaties, particularly those relating to human rights and democracy.

The second, on April 3, creates the Group of Voluntary Countries to follow up on the situation in Nicaragua. In response to this mandate, the Group was formed on May 7 and has a more active participation than the previous Working Group on Nicaragua. One of the first actions of the Group of Voluntary Countries was to include the issue of Nicaragua in the OAS General Assembly to be held in Asuncion, Paraguay, from June 26 to 28, and it is also discussing the resolution to be approved in the activity.

In summary, in a very turbulent world with serious conflicts such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war between Israel and Hamas (Palestine), and the crisis in Haiti in the region, the issue of Nicaragua continues to be very present in the agendas of the OAS and the UN, as well as in the political priorities of many countries in the world.

We know that the Ortega Murillo regime will not be present at the next OAS General Assembly, but Nicaraguan civil society will.

The Nicaraguan Democratic Concertation (CDN-Monteverde), as part of these groups, will be present in Asuncion to be the voice of rebuke but also of hope and to accompany the efforts that the OAS, the Group of Volunteer Countries, and the States Parties continue to make in favor of democracy and human rights in Nicaragua.

CDN-Monteverde in the OAS’ upcoming General Assembly in Paraguay

The Nicaraguan Democratic Concertation (CDN-Monteverde) will play a pivotal role at the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), set to occur in Asuncion, Paraguay, from June 26 to 28.

Our mission is clear—to bring the plight of Nicaragua to the forefront and to secure recognition for our civic group as a ‘specially invited organization.’ This distinction is reserved for groups not registered within the civil society category and are part of organizations from non-OAS member countries like Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela.

This recognition is very important, especially since Nicaragua is no longer an OAS member country. Considering this, it is up to civil society organizations to ensure that the country’s crisis is not forgotten and to be the voice of Nicaraguans who want to regain freedom, prosperity, and democracy. We share this objective with the political and social leadership of several countries on various continents.

As a civic group, we will articulate our stance in various meetings organized by civil society and will arrange for our participation in bilateral meetings with member state delegations. Simultaneously, we will maintain a close working relationship with the Group of Volunteer Countries.

The Monteverde Concertation: immediate release of political prisoners

The CDN-Monteverde supports the proposed resolution under discussion and will strive to advocate for some key issues to be highlighted, including the restoration of rights for Nicaraguans inside and outside the country, the full and immediate release of all persons imprisoned for political reasons, and Nicaragua’s responsibility to continue to comply with its international legal obligations. We urge countries to recognize the urgency of the situation and use the spaces offered by international law to stop the violations that continue to be committed by the Ortega Murillo regime.

Likewise, as a civil society organization in a totalitarian country, we will use the different forums and meetings that will be held within the framework of the General Assembly to make the Nicaraguan problems visible in the internal and external political environments and the extreme abuses the Ortega Murillo regime continues to surpass. In addition, we consider it vital to assume a tactical positioning of engagement with countries whose greater involvement will help to maintain permanent denunciation in the different forums and to clarify and increase external pressure on the regime.

Thanks to the work of the Group of Volunteer Countries and other non-governmental organizations, such as the Inter-American Dialogue, the presence of Nicaragua as a thematic centerpiece of the agenda of the General Assembly in Paraguay will be possible in at least three activities within the parallel meetings.

We need to contribute whatever is necessary for the resolution to be approved and for it to be a consensus resolution, as has been the case since the Lima General Assembly in 2023 when all member countries recognized the extent of the crisis, the regime’s repressive actions, and the systematic deterioration of democracy and human rights in Nicaragua.

The following table identifies the resolutions approved and the votes cast by the countries. In 2018, when the crisis began, between half and three-quarters of the OAS member states supported the demand for political change in Nicaragua. However, since the Lima General Assembly, both in the General Assemblies and in the resolutions of the Permanent Councils, support has been 100 percent. Among the member states, the CDN-Monteverde identifies a leading role for some countries and a more tactical one for others, whose positions are important to know in order to determine how to influence their decisions regarding Nicaragua.

Finally, this Assembly will be significant because of the message that the member states will send to Nicaraguans within the country and abroad, as well as to the region.  It will also make clear that the Nicaraguan crisis is still ongoing despite the Ortega Murillo regime’s withdrawal from the OAS and its attempt to make the issue invisible in this forum. The CDN-Monteverde thanks the OAS and the Group of Volunteer Countries for their commitment to Nicaragua’s freedom. In addition to thanking them, we tell them that we will continue to accompany the efforts for the freedom of Nicaragua.