MADRID, 18 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has expressed his concern about the seizure order issued by the Government of Nicaragua of the Central American University (UCA), run by the Jesuits, after accusing it of “terrorism”.
“(Guterres) is following the events in Nicaragua with concern, in particular the increase in tensions between the Nicaraguan government and the Catholic Church, including the recent closure of the Central American University,” Guterres’s spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said in a statement. Press conference.
“The Secretary General recalls that the ongoing closure of an educational center, alleging reasons of national security, must be carried out in accordance with the international obligations derived from the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”, added Dujarric.
For his part, the deputy spokesman for the United States Department of State, Vedant Patel, has assured that this seizure represents a “greater erosion” of democratic institutions and a “suffocation of civic space.”
In addition, he has stated that this university is “a center of academic excellence” that represents a future “of hope” in Nicaragua.
“The United States condemns the regime’s continued repression of religious figures and institutions, and we call for the immediate and unconditional release of people of conscience imprisoned in Nicaragua, including Bishop Álvarez,” Patel said during a press conference.
“The decision is yet another sign that (Nicaraguan President) Daniel Ortega continues to embrace authoritarianism and undermine all of Nicaragua’s independent institutions. Despite their efforts, they cannot extinguish freedom of thought, and we will continue to use tools diplomatic and economic measures to promote their accountability,” added the spokesperson.
The UCA has been in the crosshairs of the Government of Daniel Ortega, since it has become one of the strongholds of opposition protesters since the sociopolitical crisis that began in 2018, in which more than 350 people died, according to data from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Managua has dissolved 26 universities this year, by withdrawing the legal personality of several of these institutions, in what is considered a repressive measure by the authorities, who have also closed political parties and non-governmental organizations.
