UN rights chief condemns Nicaragua move to end elections

The United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday condemned what he ​described as a further deterioration of civil ‌and political rights in Nicaragua, warning that proposed measures to bar political opponents from elections would deepen an ​already severe crackdown on dissent.

On Sunday Nicaragua's ​long-serving president Daniel Ortega said the Central ⁠American country would cease to hold elections, eliminating the ​possibility of an electoral challenge when his term ​ends next year and further entrenching the rule he shares with his wife.

"People of all political viewpoints must be ​allowed to vote and run for office, in ​line with the State's international human rights obligations," UN High ‌Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement, adding that power was increasingly being concentrated under the co-presidency.

The government had also earlier this ​month revoked ​the credentials ⁠of a number of lawyers, which they said had no legal basis ​or official explanation, Turk said.

Civic space ​in Nicaragua was now "nearly closed", Turk said, adding that independent expression of thought or opinion was being systematically ⁠suppressed.

​He urged authorities to release ​at least 46 individuals who remain arbitrarily detained for political ​reasons.

-Reuters