Canada imposes sanctions on additional individuals in response to ongoing human rights violations in Nicaragua

July 14, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced sanctions against an additional 15 individuals under the Special Economic Measures (Nicaragua) Regulations in response to ongoing human rights violations in Nicaragua.

Since 2018, the Government of Nicaragua has been committing gross and systematic human rights violations against its people, including campaigns of repression and state-sponsored violence against public protests and suppression of any political opposition.

Despite continued calls from Canada, the Organization of the American States, and international partners, the Government of Nicaragua has refused to implement meaningful reforms to ensure its people can have free and fair elections in November 2021. Instead, the Government of Nicaragua has escalated its attacks on civil and political rights and has arbitrarily arrested more than 20 leading opposition figures and potential presidential candidates since June 2021.

Today’s announcement strengthens Canada’s support for the Nicaraguan people and their aspirations for a more just and democratic future. These new measures align with actions taken by Canada’s international partners and add to previously imposed Canadian sanctions.

Canada continues to call for the immediate release of the arbitrarily arrested, imprisoned or detained political candidates, as well as the release of all political prisoners, and an end to the arrest and harassment of the independent media and civil society actors. The Government of Nicaragua needs to guarantee the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all its people in accordance with international law and its own constitution.