March 9, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 45 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
All in House sectionPrev23 of 91Next
SUPPORTING PEOPLE OF NICARAGUA IN THEIR PEACEFUL EFFORTS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 45
(House of Representatives - March 09, 2020)
Text available as:
Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Pages H1543-H1545] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SUPPORTING PEOPLE OF NICARAGUA IN THEIR PEACEFUL EFFORTS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 754) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should continue to support the people of Nicaragua in their peaceful efforts to promote democracy and human rights, and use the tools under United States law to increase political and financial pressure on the government of Daniel Ortega, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 754 Whereas the government of Daniel Ortega has concentrated power and brought about the progressive deterioration of democratic conditions in Nicaragua; Whereas recent elections in Nicaragua, including the 2016 Presidential elections, have been marred by irregularities and characterized by significant restrictions on the participation of opposition parties and the absence of credible international and local electoral observers; Whereas Nicaraguan security forces, parapolice, and other actors working under the direction of the Ortega regime committed gross violations of human rights and acts of repression, resulting in more than 325 deaths, over 2,000 injuries, and at least 800 arbitrary detentions during the peaceful protests that took place in 2018, according to the Organization of American States; Whereas a report by the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts, appointed by the Organization of American States Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, determined that the Ortega regime used deliberate, lethal force against protesters and committed acts of torture that meet the international legal standard of crimes against humanity; Whereas an estimated 62,000 Nicaraguans fled the country between April 2018 and April 2019, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; Whereas the Ortega government reneged on its commitment in 2019 to release all political prisoners by releasing just 392 people, of which 286 were released to house arrest with charges still pending, while the Blue and White National Unity coalition alleges that there remain at least 56 political prisoners as of February 15, 2020; Whereas a United States citizen and Navy veteran, 57-year- old Eddy Montes, was shot and killed while in the custody of the Nicaraguan police at La Modelo Prison on May 16, 2019; Whereas the government of Daniel Ortega has severely restricted freedom of the press by closing five local television stations, attacking independent radio stations, arbitrarily detaining journalists, and illegally restricting print supplies from entering the country; Whereas the Ortega regime has violated the economic and political rights protections of indigenous communities, rural campesinos, land rights defenders, and those living in the Caribbean Autonomous Regions of Nicaragua; Whereas, on November 27, 2018, Executive Order 13851 was issued, which blocks the property of certain persons contributing to the situation in Nicaragua, and its application was expanded on September 4, 2019; Whereas the Departments of State and the Treasury have imposed targeted sanctions on over 20 Nicaraguan individuals and entities, including First Lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo and Daniel Ortega's son, Laureano Ortega, as well as Nicaragua's Banco Corporativo (Bancorp); Whereas the bipartisan Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act (NICA Act), was [[Page H1544]] signed into law on December 20, 2018, allowing the Department of the Treasury to sanction non-United States persons implicated in egregious human rights abuses and corruption in Nicaragua; Whereas, in June 2019, Canada imposed sanctions on 12 members of the Nicaraguan Government engaged in gross and systemic human rights violations; Whereas the Ortega government has not complied with efforts of the commission appointed by the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States seeking a peaceful resolution to the social and political crisis; Whereas, on September 15, 2019, the Ortega government denied entry into the country to an official Organization of American States delegation mission; and Whereas, beginning on November 14, 2019, Nicaraguan police conducted attacks on churches throughout the country, cut water to hunger strikers barricaded inside a church in Masaya, and arrested 13 people attempting to bring them water: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) calls on the Nicaraguan Government to immediately release all political prisoners without conditions and cease all acts of violence, repression, and intimidation against dissenting voices in Nicaragua; (2) condemns the Nicaraguan Government's continued failure to comply with agreements made with the Organization of American States; (3) urges the Ortega government to respect Nicaraguans' constitutional rights and implement electoral reforms including free, fair, multiparty elections open to international observers, in compliance with the agreement reached through negotiations with the Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy and the Blue and White National Unity (UNAB) in March 2019; (4) expresses full support for the people of Nicaragua, Nicaraguan independent media, and Nicaraguan civil society organizations that are working for a peaceful return to democratic order in Nicaragua; (5) recognizes and supports efforts of the United States Government to promote democracy in Nicaragua and hold corrupt actors and human rights abusers in the Nicaraguan Government accountable for their actions; (6) urges the United States Government to continue to apply pressure on the Ortega government and consider additional sanctions against those Nicaraguan officials who have violated the human rights of their citizens or committed acts of significant corruption; and (7) urges the international community to hold the Ortega government accountable for human rights abuses, including attacks on religious freedom, and restrict its access to foreign financing unless or until it allows for free, fair, and prompt elections monitored by credible international and local electoral observers. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey. General Leave Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 754. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New Jersey? There was no objection. Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul for their continued focus on the human rights situation in Nicaragua. I would also like to thank my colleague, Ranking Member Francis Rooney from Florida, for working with me to introduce this resolution. This resolution highlights the severe human rights abuses that have taken place in Nicaragua and conveys bipartisan support for the Nicaraguan people as they seek to reclaim their fundamental rights. In 2018, repression by Nicaraguan security forces resulted in over 325 deaths. According to international human rights groups, Nicaraguan security forces used a deliberate strategy of shooting to kill, committing abuses that rose to the level of crimes against humanity. While President Ortega has since released hundreds of political prisoners, seemingly in an effort to reduce international pressure, there remain at least 56 political prisoners in Nicaragua. Moreover, many of those who were released are still routinely harassed by the authorities. Political prisoners in Nicaragua are subjected to sexual abuse, suffocation with plastic bags, and electric shocks. Over 80,000 Nicaraguans have fled the country since April 2018, many of them to escape persecution. I urge the administration not to turn its back to Nicaraguans who come to the United States fleeing violence and persecution. This resolution makes clear that the United States Congress stands with the Nicaraguan people, who are demanding accountability in the face of such brutal repression. It calls for tangible steps from the Nicaraguan Government, including immediate release of all political prisoners and the implementation of electoral reforms that Nicaraguan civil society organizations have long called for. I hope that my colleagues will join me in sending this strong bipartisan message in support of the Nicaraguan people. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H. Res. 754, expressing the support of the people of Nicaragua in their peaceful effort to promote democracy and human rights, authored by the chairman of the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade Subcommittee, Mr. Sires. Daniel Ortega and his socialist Sandinista government continue to hold onto power through corruption, intimidation, and violence against the people of Nicaragua. Since his return to power in 2007, Ortega, an ally of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and the Castro regime in Cuba, has dismantled Nicaragua's democratic institutions and enriched himself and his family at the expense of the people of one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. In 2018, Nicaraguan security forces directed by Ortega violently suppressed peaceful protests that led to at least 325 deaths, 2,000 injuries, and the arbitrary detention of more than 800 Nicaraguans. Since then, Ortega has resisted calls by the international community to restore respect for human rights in the country and pass reforms to allow for free and fair elections. In response, the United States imposed individual sanctions on Nicaragua's First Lady and two of Ortega's sons. The Treasury Department also sanctioned one of Nicaragua's main banks and, most recently, Nicaragua's National Police for continuing to facilitate corruption and carry out human rights violations on behalf of the Ortega regime. This resolution condemns the actions of the Ortega regime and expresses full support for the freedom-loving people of Nicaragua in their struggle for democracy and freedom from Ortega's tyranny. This resolution also recognizes the administration's effort to promote democracy in Nicaragua and the actions it has taken to hold corrupt officials and human rights abusers accountable. The United States remains committed to democracy and respect for human rights in the Western Hemisphere, and this resolution urges the international community in joining us in these efforts. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Consideration of this resolution comes at an important moment for Nicaragua. As the 2021 elections approach, it will be key for the international community to speak with one voice in demanding that specific conditions be met in order for those elections to be deemed credible. As a first step, President Ortega must take immediate action to allow for the creation of a newly comprised and independent electoral council, the development of a reliable voter registry, and the granting of full access to international election observers for the 2021 elections. Absent immediate and tangible steps to implement these electoral reforms, the United States should increase its pressure on Ortega and his inner circle. I hope our allies in Europe will also step up their efforts and work with the United States toward a coordinated sanctions strategy. I thank my colleagues for sending this bipartisan message that we will [[Page H1545]] continue to stand with the Nicaraguan people in their efforts to restore democracy in their country. Mr. Speaker, I hope all Members will join me in supporting the passage of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time. {time} 1630 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 754, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________
All in House sectionPrev23 of 91Next