Thank you, Mr. Vice President,

We would like to thank the Human Rights Experts for their report and their overview of the situation in Nicaragua.

We share the same concerns with Human Rights Experts about the disturbing situation of human rights in Nicaragua. In recent months, the situation has significantly deteriorated with the government tightening its grip on power by suppressing critical and dissenting voices.

Human rights defenders, journalists, clergymen, and political opponents face harassment and intimidation. The government has canceled the legal status of thousands of nongovernmental organizations and enacted laws that violate freedom of expression and assembly.

We are concerned with the shutdown of at least 20 radio and television stations. That decision has intensified restrictions on freedom of expression.

The Catholic Church has also been targeted, with incidents such as police attempting to seize equipment from a Church media outlet and arresting the Bishop of Matagalpa and others on charges of inciting hatred and violence.

Albania condemns the radical repression against political opponents and calls for the release of all political prisoners.

We call on the Nicaraguan authorities to fully cooperate with international human rights mechanisms, fulfill their international commitments, and ensure the full realization of human rights for all people in Nicaragua.

Thank you.