OAS approves resolution establishing deadline for electoral reform in Nicaragua

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(CNN Spanish) -

The General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) approved this Wednesday a resolution that establishes May 2021 as the deadline for the implementation of electoral reforms that guarantee free and transparent elections in said Central American country.

The document, entitled "Restoring Democratic Institutions and Respect for Human Rights in Nicaragua through Free and Fair Elections," was co-sponsored by the delegations of Canada, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela, and the United States.

Venezuela is represented in the OAS by Gustavo Tarre, an ambassador appointed by the National Assembly, who is chaired by the opposition leader Juan Guaidó.

The resolution was approved with 20 votes in favor, two against and 12 abstentions, and among other measures, it asks the OAS General Secretariat to support “inclusive and timely negotiations between the Government of Nicaragua and the national actors representing the opposition. Nicaraguan regarding significant electoral reform measures consistent with applicable international standards, and to provide technical assistance for their implementation in order to promote free and fair elections.

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It also encourages the "modernization and restructuring of the Supreme Electoral Council to guarantee that it functions in a totally independent, transparent and responsible manner", as well as the updating of voter registers (known as electoral rolls) and that national and international electoral observation is guaranteed.

The resolution also considers that there must be a pluralistic political process "that leads to the exercise of civil and political rights.

Including the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and open registration of new political parties ”.

Finally, the resolution calls for establishing concrete commitments, particularly institutional reforms, before the Nicaraguan state calls general elections, or at the latest, in May 2021.

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Nicaragua rejects the OAS resolution

The Nicaraguan delegation to the OAS rejected the call for the issue and the approved resolution, which according to Ambassador Luis Alvarado have not been requested or authorized by the Nicaraguan government.

In his speech, Alvarado rejected the declaration saying that it was "interference", "unacceptable" and "inadmissible", and that it had no "binding effect" on the government.

"On the contrary," he stated, "it violates the principles of the United Nations charter, as well as the foundations and purposes of the OAS charter and the principles of international law."

Through a statement released on their social networks, the opposition National Coalition expressed that this accusation of interference "does not fit in the mouth of those who violate the constitutional order and the international treaties to which the State of Nicaragua has bound itself."

“The National Coalition recognizes the efforts of the General Assembly of the OAS, appreciates its concern for the political and humanitarian crisis in Nicaragua, and the consistent call of the Organization to the Ortega regime to respect human rights and restore the fundamental freedoms of Nicaraguans »the statement details.

After the approval of the resolution, the US ambassador to the organization, Carlos Trujillo, expressed on his Twitter account that "the people of Nicaragua deserve freedom and democracy."

"In today's OAS General Assembly, we support the call for the restoration of constitutional order, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the organization of free and fair elections," Carlos Trujillo tweeted.

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