Two years after the beginning of the April 2018 social protests and demonstrations, no tangible advances have been made on democracy and human rights in Nicaragua.

Repression by security forces and pro-government armed groups of political opponents, demonstrators, journalists, civil society organisations and members of the Catholic Church continues. The EU expects the Government of Nicaragua to abide by the commitments made in the March 2019 agreements with the opposition to reach a peaceful, negotiated and democratic way out of this crisis.

The three main areas highlighted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions of 14 October 2019, where tangible progress needs to be urgently made remain valid: reestablishment of political freedoms and the release of the remaining political prisoners; full cooperation with and the return of international human rights bodies to Nicaragua, and; an agreement on electoral and institutional reforms between the government and the main opposition groups, aimed at guaranteeing fair and transparent elections.

The EU remains committed to continue to work towards a peaceful way out of the current crisis. The coronavirus pandemic is a public health crisis that calls, more than ever, for solidarity and for human rights to be at the forefront of common action. We express our solidarity with the victims of the pandemic in Nicaragua and reiterate our support to the Nicaraguan people in fulfilling their pressing needs and aspirations.