Addressing the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, expresses the Holy See’s concern about the deterioration of the socio-political and human rights situation in Nicaragua.

The Holy See has taken note of the Report of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua, and “expresses deep concern about the upsurge of violence across the country and the shrinking of space for dialogue and negotiations between authorities and civil society in recent years”.

Speaking in Geneva on Wednesday during the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu said that “it is with concern that we read in the Report about the deterioration of the socio-political and human rights situation in Nicaragua, with increased restrictions on freedoms of expression, of peaceful assembly and association, along with repressive measures against critics of the government, journalists and human rights defenders, as well as members of the Catholic Church”.

Violations of due process

The Vatican Observer to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva stressed: “the reported closure of several independent media outlets and non-governmental organizations, including faith-based organizations, and the allegations on the systematic use of violence by law enforcement in a climate of general impunity, with frequent episodes of arbitrary arrests, violations of due process and precarious conditions of detainees”.

“In addition to the expulsion from Nicaragua of several diplomats,” he said, “including the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Waldemar Stanisław Sommertag, and of the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa, the Holy See regrets the most recent news of clergy being imprisoned and the arbitrary deprivation of nationality for over 300 Nicaraguan citizens, including the exiled Auxiliary Bishop of Managua Silvo José Baez, 222 of which were deported to the United States”.

Work toward dialogue and respect for rights

The Permanent Observer reiterated Pope Francis’ appeal “to overcome hostilities and seek spaces for a constructive dialogue between the Parties, laying the foundations for the return to a peaceful coexistence based on the respect of the dignity and the rights of all persons, especially those in the most vulnerable situations, who are disproportionately affected by the current circumstances” with the prayer to the Lord “to open the hearts of political leaders and all citizens to the sincere search for peace, which is born of truth, justice, freedom and love, and which is achieved through the patient pursuit of dialogue”.

In a recent development, and what seems like a further deterioration in the diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and the Holy See, the Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry has declared that diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and the Holy See have been suspended. The Nicaraguan government has asked the Holy See to close their respective diplomatic missions. This is not a break in relations, as has been reported by media outlets.

Exactly one year ago, on 12 March 2022, the Apostolic Nuncio in Managua, Archbishop Waldemar Stanisław Sommertag, had been expelled from the country. The Holy See at the time reacted to the Nicaraguan government’s decision with great surprise and regret. “Such a measure seems incomprehensible,” stressed a communiqué from the Holy See, “because in the course of his mission, Archbishop Sommertag worked with profound dedication for the good of the Church and the Nicaraguan people, especially the most vulnerable, always seeking to foster good relations between the Apostolic See and the authorities of Nicaragua.”

In an interview with the Spanish daily ABC last December, Pope Francis reiterated, responding to a question about Vatican diplomacy regarding Nicaragua, that the Holy See always seeks to save peoples and that its weapon is dialogue: “The Holy See never goes it alone. It is expelled. It always tries to save diplomatic relations and to save what can be saved with patience and dialogue.”

The social and political situation in Nicaragua has worsened in recent years with arrests, expulsions, and the violent repression of demonstrations. After being under house arrest since last August, Bishop Rolando Álvarez, the Bishop of Matagalpa, was arbitrarily sentenced to 26 years in prison. He has subsequently been jailed, and there has been no subsequent news about him.